1977 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Puff. On June 10, after 51 games he was batting .198 and had four homers. Billy Martin stayed with him.
'The thing about Graig is that even he isn't hitting, he still does his job in the field. He played some of the best third base this year that I've ever seen.' Martin's confidence paid off as Nettles won the American League home run crown with 32, the first Yankee home run champ since Roger Maris in 1961.
Born in San Diego, Graig is another former Indian obtained in a trade. He's a quiet, steady performer who maintains an even temperament.
'Baseball is mostly mental. It's a long season, a long career. No sense getting excited about one day.'"
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1977 Edition
"For 15 years the Bronx Bombers failed to live up to their name. Not since Roger Maris' record 61 home runs in 1961 had a Yankee led the American League in that category. Enter Graig Nettles.
The left-hand slugging third sacker put together his best major league season in 1976, including a league-high 32 round-trippers. He did it with a tremendous second half, belting 20 homers and driving in 57 runs after the All-Star break. Nettles shares the major league record for home runs in the month of April with Willie Stargell as he hit 11 in 1974.
Although known as a power hitter, Graig also shines in the field. He holds the major league records for both assists and double plays by a third baseman and has led the American League in assists in five of the last six years. Nettles has outstanding range and a strong arm and was particularly spectacular during the pennant stretch drive.
Consistent and durable (he's missed only 13 games in four seasons as a Yankee), Graig is proving himself to be one of the very best in baseball at his position."
-The New York Yankees Official 1977 Yearbook
"The American League home run champion for 1976, Graig Nettles was the first Yankee to win the honor since Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961. Nettles did it with a sensational second half, belting 20 home runs and driving in 57 runs after the All-Star break. On June 1, he was hitting .188 with four homers. For the second year in a row, Graig came close to the all-time RBI record by a Yankee third baseman, 95, set by Billy Johnson; he is already the holder of the home run record. An outstanding defensive player, Graig also stole a career high of 11 bases last year after stealing only two in his first three seasons with the Yankees.
He's missed only 13 games in four years as a New Yorker, and has played in 150 or more games for seven consecutive seasons, going back to his days in Cleveland when he set records for assists by a third baseman in one season (412) and for double plays in a season (54 in 1971). He had 410 assists in 1973.
Cleveland's Man of the Year in 1971, Graig has led the Yankees in home runs three times. He was named to the starting lineup in the 1975 All-Star Game and to the Sporting News All-Stars at year's end.
A baseball and basketball star at San Diego State before signing with the Twins in 1966, Graig was a member of the 1969 Western Division champions, managed by Billy Martin. An accomplished golfer who has won the American Airlines Golf Classic, he shares the major league home run record for the month of April with Willie Stargell, as he hit 11 in 1974, and drove in 23 runs for the month. Graig also had a streak of 10 straight RBI games, one short of the record shared by Babe Ruth and Mel Ott."
-1977 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Nettles was the American League home run champ in 1976 with 32. He hit 20 of those homers in the second half of the season and is among the home run leaders again this year.
An outstanding defensive player, durable as well, Graig has appeared in 150 or more games for the past seven years. He was Cleveland's Man of the Year in 1971. Graig shares the major league home run for the month of April with Willie Stargell, hitting 11 in 1974.
This is Graig's second All-Star Game."
-1977 All-Star Game Official Program
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD FOR NETTLES
"Graig Nettles was voted the American League's Player of the Month for August in the middle of his best season. Graig set personal marks in home runs and RBIs, extending his Yankee record for most home runs by a third baseman in one season, and breaking Billy Johnson's record of 96 RBIs by a Yankee third baseman in one season. Graig also reached the 1200 mark in career hits.
In addition to his productive hitting, most observers agree that Graig is the finest fielding third baseman in the A.L., if not in all of baseball."
-1977 World Series Official Program
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