1978 Profile: Bucky Dent

"Bucky Dent joined the Yankees just prior to Opening Day in 1977 and promptly found himself on a World Championship club. Naturally, he had something to do with it.
Only 26, Dent teams with 24-year-old Willie Randolph to give the Yankees one of the top double play combinations in baseball. The former member of the Chicago White Sox has led the league twice in double plays, and in 1975 led the league's shortstops in fielding on his way to making the All-Star team. He has outstanding range, and in his four big league seasons has been among the leaders in total chances.
Bucky can also hit, driving in many timely runs in 1977 and doubling his best previous home run total. He is extremely durable and has missed only 17 games in four years. At his age and with his durability, Bucky Dent figures to be the Yankee shortstop for quite some time."

-The New York Yankees Official 1978 Yearbook

"Bucky joined the Yankees on the day before the opening of the season and teamed with Willie Randolph to give the Yankees one of the best young double play combinations in baseball. One of the top defensive shortstops in the game and extremely durable, he has played over 150 games in each of the last four seasons; over the last four years he has missed only 17 games. Bucky also had a career high of eight home runs last year, including four in a four-game stretch in June.
Dent first came up with the White Sox in 1973. In his rookie year in 1974, he was the American League's Rookie of the Year runner-up to Texas' Mike Hargrove. He was named the shortstop on the Major League All-Rookie team that year and led the American League in sacrifice hits with 23.
Defensively, Dent has been among the league leaders each year in total chances accepted. He tied for the league lead in double plays by a shortstop in 1974 with 108 and he led the league in 1975 with 105 twin killings.
1975 has proved to be Bucky's best year so far. In addition to the double plays, he was first in fielding (.981), putouts (270), assists (543) and total chances (838). He committed only 16 errors and was named to the American League's All-Star team.
Bucky hit .351 in 77 at-bats for Sarasota his first year in organized ball in 1970. He won the Hustle Award in 1972 at Knoxville, where he hit .296 and made the Southern League All-Star team. He was a roommate of new teammate Rich Gossage when they were together in the White Sox organization.
An all-around athlete, Dent was an All-State halfback at Hialeah (Florida) High School and played Little League and Pony League baseball. He attended Miami Dade North Junior College, where he was an All-American infielder. The first time Bucky ever saw a major league game he played in it.
Bucky is represented by the prestigious William Morris Agency. His hobby is shark fishing."

-New York Yankees 1978 Media Guide