HITTING
"No change here from last year, meaning the Yanks will battle for the league lead in most offensive departments. They won't score as many runs as the Red Sox, perhaps, but they won't need as many, either.
The Yankees tried to add a big bat but resisted the temptation to acquire Dave Winfield, Dave Parker or Al Oliver.
'The price was too high,' said owner George Steinbrenner. 'I'm not going to break a championship team for just one man.'
So, Billy Martin will have to struggle along with World Series hero Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Chris Chambliss and Mickey Rivers, who combined for 116 homers, 476 RBIs. A year under his belt in New York, a sensational second half and the Series showcase could make Jackson even more of a force this year than last. But encroaching age (Nettles 33, Lou Piniella and Roy White, each 34) could be the hidden woe for the World Champions."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1978 Edition
PITCHING
"'I think Catfish is going to come back and have a good year,' says Billy Martin.
'We consider Messersmith a good gamble. If his arm is sound, he could be the steal of the year,' says George Steinbrenner.
Catfish Hunter (9-9) and Andy Messersmith (5-4) combined for 45 victories just four seasons ago. Even a remote return to that form will set up the Yankee pitching staff, which includes young sensation Ron Guidry, Don Gullett and Ed Figueroa and three youngsters (Ken Clay, Jim Beattie and Gil Patterson) who will get a long look in spring training.
But the best part is the bullpen - Cy Young winner Sparky Lyle (13 wins, 26 saves), and free agents Rich Gossage (11 wins, 26 saves) and Rawly Eastwick (five wins, 11 saves). With a bullpen like that, Martin can stop the other team in the clubhouse."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1978 Edition
FIELDING
"Fourth in the league in fielding, the Yankees don't figure to get any worse.
'We won last year with pitching, and defense makes your pitching,' says Martin. 'Especially infield defense.' The Yankees will stack their infield defense with any, especially Gold Glove Graig Nettles at third and their young DP combo of Bucky Dent and Willie Randolph.
And don't forget the man behind the plate. Forget Thurman Munson's 10 errors. Yankee pitchers feel they are better when Thurman is behind the plate, and that's why he's not in Cleveland."
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1978 Edition
OUTLOOK
"Still the team to beat until somebody beats them. Just the experience of two league titles and the vanity that comes with being World Champs makes them better.
'We won last year and we improved with Gossage,' says Martin. 'I don't see any reason why we won't win again.'"
-Phil Pepe, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1978 Edition
"George Steinbrenner's volatile and talent-rich Yankees overcame an injury-riddled pitching staff, serious internal dissension, a series of owner-manager conflicts, and the combined challenges of the Red Sox and Orioles to successfully defend their American League Championship before going on to dramatically defeat the Dodgers in a World Series totally dominated by the bat of slugging outfielder Reggie Jackson. Billy Martin, on the edge of being fired on five separate occasions during the '77 campaign, somehow managed to survive and will again be at the helm of the World Champions, who loom even more formidable this season.
The muscular Jackson returns to spearhead the offense after his one-man show in the Series wherein he won MVP honors by batting .450 and hitting five home runs, including four in a row on four swings, thereby equalling three all-time records and setting no less than five new ones. Jackson, who batted .286 during the season with 32 homers and 110 RBIs, was the driving force in the stretch run when the Yankees clinched the pennant by winning 40 of 50 games.
Trigger man Mickey Rivers (.326, 12, 69) returns in center field at huge Yankee Stadium where his great speed is a distinct asset. Sweet Lou Piniella (.330, 12, 45), an invaluable performer, and Roy White (.268, 14, 52) alternated in left field in '77, but Steinbrenner is apt to deal for a right-handed hitter to be a full-time outfielder, freeing Piniella for designated hitter duty. Classy Paul Blair (.262) and speedy Dell Alston are the probable reserves.
Catcher Thurman Munson (.318, 18, 100) is expected to be behind the plate again despite requesting a trade (to Cleveland) last year. Power swinger Cliff Johnson (.296, 12, 31 in 56 games) and capable Fran Healy will again back up Munson.
Graig Nettles, the Gold Glove third baseman and one of the premier home run hitters in the league (.255, 37, 107), is the anchor of a slick infield that offers the pitching staff superlative support with amazing consistency. All-Star second baseman Willie Randolph (.274, 4, 40) blends smoothly with steady Bucky Dent (.247, 8, 49) at shortstop on crucial inning-ending double plays. Clutch hitter Chris Chambliss (.287, 17, 90) is an integral part of the attack and will be backed at first by ex-White Sox Jim Spencer, a top-notch fielder and long ball hitter (.247, 18, 69). Infield depth is provided by Mickey Klutts, Fred Stanley and George Zeber.
A bullpen that is unsurpassed in the major leagues is again headed by Cy Young Award winner Sparky Lyle, baseball's all-time leader in games saved. Lyle appeared in 72 games, winning 13, saving 26 and posting a fine 2.17 ERA. The major addition is Rich Gossage, an overpowering right-hander who, in 72 games with Pittsburgh, won 11, saved 26 and registered an eye-popping 1.62 ERA. This lefty-righty combination could spell the difference in the upcoming pennant race. Ever-reliable Dick Tidrow (11-4, 3.16) has a 7-0 record as a spot starter over the last two years and will again be on hand, along with young Ken Clay (2-3, 4.34) and talented Rawly Eastwick (5-9, 3.40 with Cincinnati and St. Louis).
Southpaws Don Gullett (14-4, 3.59) and Ron Guidry (16-7, 2.82 with 176 strikeouts) along with steady right-hander Ed Figueroa (16-11, 3.58) form the heart of the starting rotation. Former ace Jim Hunter (9-9, 4.72) and ex-Atlanta star Andy Messersmith will seek to return to their old form and fill the void created by the departure of free agent Mike Torrez (to Boston). Highly regarded Gil Patterson, young Jim Beattie and veteran Ken Holtzman, along with Tidrow, round out the starting pitching staff.
Despite all the turmoil and intense personality conflicts that kept the Yankees from playing their best until mid-August last year, they managed to capture their division title with a 100-62 record. With a healthier pitching staff, Gossage added to Lyle in the bullpen, and some tranquility in the locker room, New York should be able to withstand the challenge from the powerful Red Sox in the 1978 season."
-Baseball Forecast 1978
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