1980 Profile: Tim Lollar

TIM LOLLAR
"Good, hard-throwing left-handed pitchers are hard to find in baseball, but the Yankees think they've found one in the person of Tim Lollar. At West Haven in '79, all he did was come up with a record of 8-5 and an ERA of 3.18. In only his third season of pro ball, Timmy started the 1980 season at Columbus as the bullpen ace."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

1980 Profile: Rudy May

"1980 will be the second coming of Rudy May ... to Yankee Stadium. Rudy was a Yankee from mid-1974 to mid-1976. During that time, he won 26 games, primarily as a starter and was on hand when the 'new' Yankee Stadium was unveiled.
This time around, Rudy will be the main left-hander out of the bullpen. He discovered he could pitch out of the pen last year in Montreal. After a disastrous first half in which he hardly took the mound, Rudy helped the Expos battle Pittsburgh down to the wire with equal effectiveness as both a starter and a reliever. For what had started as his most distressing season ended up his best according to statistics. The Dude posted a 10-3 record and a sparkling 2.30 ERA, becoming a prime target in the free agent market.
His previous Yankee stint was sandwiched between years with the Angels and Orioles and convinced him that he'd like to return to New York and the Yankees. His close brush with the playoffs last year convinced him that he'd like to participate in some postseason activity before his retirement. Here's hoping Rudy gets his wish!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Rudy was used as both a starter and a reliever for the Expos in '79, his second season in the National League. Statistically, he had his best year as a pro, winning 10 of 13 decisions with a 2.30 ERA. Rudy started the season with seven straight wins, the first five being in relief. His sixth win of the year, his only shutout of the year, was his first start of the year, a 3-hit, 5-0 win over the Cardinals on July 31. Rudy didn't lose until the Reds beat him in relief on August 21.
He became a starter down the stretch for the Expos, starting six of his last seven appearances, going 3-2. He gave up only four homers all year, in 94 innings pitched, and just one over his last 20 appearances.
Rudy made it to the major leagues with the California Angels in 1965. He originally signed with Minnesota in 1963, and in just two years as a professional had been with four organizations. From the Twins he was drafted by the White Sox who traded him to the Phillies on October 14, 1964. Philadelphia then dealt him to the Angels on December 3 in a deal involving Bo Belinsky. His 1965 stint was brief due to shoulder problems.
He struggled in the minors for the next three seasons before his shoulder healed completely. He was the mainstay of the Angels staff from 1969 to 1974, when he was sold to the Yankees on June 15. May spent exactly two years with the Yankees, compiling a record of 26-19. He was 14-12 with a 3.06 ERA in his only full year with the Yanks in '75. Rudy was traded to Baltimore as part of a 10-player deal on June 15, 1976.
Rudy has recorded seven 2-hitters, seven 3-hitters and struck 16 Twins on August 10, 1972. He has had three 13-strikeout games, one 12-strikeout, one 11-strikeout and four ten-strikeout games, giving him 10 double-figure strikeout games.
Rudy broke into organized ball in 1963 after being signed by the Twins and was selected to the Northern League All-Star team that first year, coming up with an 11-11 record for Bismarck. He set a Carolina League record by striking out nine in a row for Portsmouth in 1964.
He lettered in baseball, football, basketball and track at Castlemont High School in Oakland, where he spent his childhood. He attended the University of San Francisco on a basketball scholarship. Rudy threw a 1-hitter against Denny McLain and the Tigers in his first major league game, without getting a decision.
Nicknamed 'Dude,' Rudy was a high school teammate of Joe Morgan and played against Willie Stargell and basketball's Paul Silas. He was a Giants fan as a youngster. Rudy credits three of his pitching coaches, George Bamberger, Jim Brewer and Whitey Ford, for helping his career the most."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Bobby Murcer

"Murcer returned to the Yankees in mid-season, acquired from the Cubs for a pitching prospect and cash. He's still very popular with Yankee fans who remember his outstanding years in New York.
'These fans are the greatest. They gave me renewed life when I came back after four-and-a-half years.' When he left the Yankees in the Bobby Bonds deal in 1974, George Steinbrenner vowed he would bring him back someday.
Born in Oklahoma City, Bobby delivered a moving eulogy at Thurman Munson's funeral- then delivered the game-winning hit on national television in the game that night.
He's 19th on the all-time Yankee home run list."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"It was a homecoming for Bobby, returning to the Yankees in 1979. He started off slowly with the Yanks then finished strong to raise his American League average to .273. He had his most memorable game on August 6 against the Orioles. Hours earlier the Yankees had returned from the funeral of Thurman Munson, at which Bobby had given one of the eulogies. It was a nationally televised game and Bobby, dedicating the game to Thurman, rose to the occasion. His two-run single in the bottom of the ninth brought the Yanks back from behind to a 5-4 win over the Birds. His three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh had brought the Yanks to within a run at 4-3 before his ninth-inning heroics.
That game started Bobby on a streak that saw him go 11-for-27 (.407) with three homers and 10 RBIs over his next six games. He had a 10-game hitting streak from August 31-September 8 and finished the season with a five-game hit streak (9-for-20, .450) to raise his final average from .258 to .273. He was 6-for-9 with two homers and six RBIs in his final two games. Bobby had two 2-homer games, and in addition to his five-RBI game against the Orioles, had a four-RBI game against Toronto on September 30.
Murcer broke in with Johnson City in 1964 as a shortstop and was named the Appalachian League's All-Star shortstop that year. He first came up to the major leagues in 1965, when he joined the Yankees late in the season, in just his second year in pro ball. After a stint in the Army (1967-68), Bobby rejoined the Yankees in 1969 and was later shifted to center field. He tied for the AL lead in assists by an outfielder with 15 in 1970.
Bobby batted a career high .331 in 1971 (second in the AL) and he was also second in slugging at .543. In 1972, Bobby led the AL in runs scored with 102 and total bases with 314; defensively, he led the league in putouts (382) and total chances (396), and won the Gold Glove award. He was fourth in the AL batting race in 1973 with a .304 average, and he tied for the league lead in assists (14) by an outfielder. Bobby was named to the Sporting News American League All-Star team in 1971, 1972 and 1973, and was on the American League All-Star team in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.
He hit four consecutive home runs in a doubleheader against Cleveland on June 24, 1970; his three in the first game, and one in the second, tied the major league record for most home runs in consecutive at-bats, as well as the American League record for most home runs in a doubleheader. Bobby also hit three home runs in one game against Kansas City on July 13, 1973, and was the last Yankee to hit for the cycle, doing it against Texas on August 29, 1972.
Bobby was traded to the Giants on October 22, 1974 for Bobby Bonds. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 1975. He spent two years with San Francisco before being sent to the Cubs on February 11, 1977, with Steve Ontiveros and Andy Muhlstock, in exchange for Bill Madlock and Rob Sperring.
In 1977 as a Cub, he appeared in 154 games and stole a career high 16 bases. He led the Cubs in RBIs (89), total bases (252), homers (27) and tied for the lead in game-winning RBIs with nine. In '78 he led the Cubs in batting (281). In 1976, while with the Giants, Bobby hit a home run off Montreal's Dale Murray on August 20; it was the first home run off Murray in 247.1 innings, a modern major league record.
Murcer was a three-sport standout in high school, playing baseball, football and basketball at Southeast High in Oklahoma City. He was all-state in football, all-city in basketball, and all-city and all-state in baseball, batting .458 with just one strikeout in his senior year. Bobby attended the University of Oklahoma as a Business major. He enjoys hunting and fishing.
Bobby was signed to his original Yankee contract by Tom Greenwade, the same scout who signed his favorite player, Mickey Mantle."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

"The boyish look is a bit older, but the persistent smile and down-home Oklahoma charm can still light up the darkened corners of our memories. After four-and-a-half years in the National League, Bobby Ray Murcer finally came home. He was traded to the West Coast and the Giants following the 1974 season and two years later he began his return trek eastward when he was sent to the Chicago Cubs. And last June 26, the round trip ticket was finally put to use when one of the all-time Yankee favorite sons returned.
It was a season of mixed emotions for Bobby: unhappy in Chicago, he was overjoyed with his return to the Yankees. But he suffered a great personal loss when his dear friend and brother-in-baseball, Thurman Munson, died in a plane crash. On August 6, Bobby delivered one of the eulogies at Munson's funeral and returned later that day to display one of the most emotionally charged performances in baseball history. Bobby drove in all five Yankee runs in a nationally televised 5-4 victory over the Orioles, including the last two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
It's been said that you can never go home again. But by his performance and the warm greeting of the New York fans, Bobby Murcer proved the critics wrong. Welcome home, Bobby!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

1980 Profile: Joe Lefebvre

"A second full season at West Haven saw Joe come into his own. He led the Eastern Division champs in almost every offensive category, including a league leading total of 107 RBIs. This native of New Hampshire also possesses a very strong throwing arm in the outfield."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"This spring there were those who felt that Joe Lefebvre was still a year away from the major leagues. After all, he had spent the entire season at the AA level where he excelled, hitting .292 with 21 home runs and 107 RBI. He did get called up to triple-A in time for the playoffs, but he only appeared in nine games for Columbus.
So Joe began the 1980 season in Columbus and got off to an excellent start, leading the International League in home runs through the first month of the season. Then Oscar Gamble broke a toe and Lefebvre was called up to the Yankees.
Joe spent his first week in New York on the bench, but once he got into the lineup he was a tough man to replace. The 24-year-old outfielder hit home runs in each of his first two games, tying an American League record, and reeled off a six-game hitting streak. He also electrified fans and terrified baserunners with his strong, accurate throwing arm.
The Penacock, New Hampshire native has shown he can play in the major leagues and people who were not sure how to say his name have learned quickly that the proper pronunciation is Le-FAY. That's a name that should be familiar to Yankee fans for quite some time."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Lefebvre had his most productive professional season at West Haven last year. He led the Yanks in batting (.292), home runs (21) and RBIs (107). His homer total was fifth in the Eastern League and his RBI total tied him for the league lead. He was named to the Eastern League's All-Star team in the outfield. Called up to Columbus for the AAA playoffs to replace the injured Darryl Jones, Joe went 9-for-33 (.273), hitting safely in seven of nine games. Three of his hits were triples.
Joe appears on the Yankees major league roster for the first time as he enters his fourth year in pro ball. He started his career at Fort Lauderdale in 1977 after being signed by the late Jack Butterfield. Joe batted .308 in 48 games after getting out of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and was promoted to West Haven (AA) at the end of '77, batting .364 (8-for-22) in six games. He played a full year at West Haven in 1978, batting .266 and leading the Eastern League with 102 runs scored. He also tied for the league lead with 11 triples.
Lefebvre played baseball and basketball at Concord (New Hampshire) High School and was MVP in baseball in his junior and senior years. He played baseball at Eckerd and was a first-team All-American as a sophomore, and was the MVP of the Division II College World Series, also as a sophomore. He's one year away from a degree in recreation and sociology.
Joe is of French Canadian ancestry. He enjoys working with disadvantaged children."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Eric Soderholm

"The comeback story of Eric Soderholm rivals that of Tommy John. Eric spent most of his early career in the Twins organization going up and down before becoming their regular third baseman in 1974 and 1975. He set a Twins record for fielding at third with a .969 percentage in 1975. Then misfortune struck! Eric partially tore the cartilage in his left knee then later broke his ribs in a construction accident.
But the comeback story begins while he was on the disabled list for all of 1976. Eric dedicated himself to a full recovery and underwent an extensive rehabilitation program. He later authored a book, 'Conditioning for Baseball,' about his rehabilitation program. During that year, he added bulk to his 5'11" frame and he became a powerful 202 pounds of dynamite.
Deciding to test the free agent waters, Soderholm became one of the biggest bargains in baseball history when he signed with the White Sox and proceeded to hit .280 with 25 home runs in 1977. Needless to say, he was the landslide winner as the A.L. Comeback Player of the Year.
After hitting 51 home runs in two-and-a-half years in Chicago, Eric was sent to Texas during the middle of last season. In an off-season deal, he was picked up by the Yankees. His valuable right-handed bat and good defensive ability will make Eric an important man as the Yankees strive to return to top form in the '80s."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Soderholm split the 1979 season between the White Sox and Rangers. He started the season with the Sox, appearing in 56 games for them with a .232 average. Eric started off fast for the Sox and was batting as high as .312 on May 10. He had an eight-game hitting streak from April 14-22, going 13-for-33 (.394). He had three 3-hit games and a four-RBI game against the Rangers on May 5.
Eric was sent to the Rangers at the June 15 trading deadline in exchange for Ed Farmer and Gary Holle. He finished the year in Texas where he hit .272 in 63 games. Eric overall batted .261 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. He committed just seven errors in 284 chances, a .975 fielding percentage, which was second among American League third basemen.
Soderholm finished strong in Texas, hitting in eight straight games from August 5-11, going 12-for-33 (.364). He went hitless on August 12, then hit in another five straight, giving him a 13-of-14 streak which raised his average from .239 to .256.
Eric started his career in the Twins organization in 1968 at Orlando. After four years in the minors, he broke in with the Twins at the end of the 1971 season. He was named Florida State League Player of the Year in '68.
Soderholm spent the 1972 season with the Twins, then split 1973 between Tacoma and Minnesota. Eric proved to be a steady hitter for the Twins, batting .276 in 1974 and .286 in '75. He set an all-time Twins record for fielding in 1975 with a .969 percentage.
Then misfortune struck Eric, first with a partially torn cartilage in his left knee, and then with broken ribs as a result of a fall into a construction hole. He spent the entire 1976 season on the disabled list, yet he refused to believe that he would never play again and underwent an extensive rehabilitation program (he authored a book about his rehabilitation experiences called 'Conditioning for Baseball').
Eric played out his option with the Twins and was signed by the White Sox on November 26, 1976. He came back with the Sox in 1977, batting .280 with 25 home runs and was the landslide winner of the American League's Comeback Player of the Year award. Eric started off slow with the Sox in '78 as a result of some painful shin splints, but still got into 143 games and topped Chicago with 20 homers. He hit 51 homers in his two-and-a-half seasons in Chicago.
Eric credits his work in the Nautilus program with rebuilding his knee and is very involved now in weight and physical training. The Nautilus Company has produced a 20-minute film about his rehabilitation program and comeback.
Soderholm played American Legion ball in Miami where he grew up. He was baseball MVP at Miami's Coral Park High and earned All-City honors as a shortstop there. Eric went to South Georgia Junior College for two years and was an All-American junior college shortstop there. He also attended the University of Tampa, where he was a Physical Education major, and is 12 hours short of his degree. He's of Swedish ancestry.
Soderholm was the number one draft choice of the Twins in 1968. His younger brother Dale is an infielder in the Twins organization. Eric hit a homer in his second at-bat in the big leagues. He was a Yankee fan as a youngster."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Tommy John

1980 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Baseball's Bionic Man. A transplant of a tendon from his right forearm to his injured left elbow in '74 saved his career. Tommy is talkative, and very popular with the press.
'Ask him what time it is,' says former manager Bob Lemon, 'and he'll tell you how to make a watch.' Tommy signed a $1.4 million pact with the Yankees as a free agent. He picked the Yanks over Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Kansas City because 'it was important for me to be with a winning team.'
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, he made his big league debut way back in '63. He was part of one of the biggest trades in history in 1965.
A sinker-ball pitcher, Tommy forces enemy batters to pound the ball into the ground."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"After completing a very successful first run on the Yankee baseball network, the saga of the Yankee with the Bionic Arm is assured a second season. As if winning 21 games and earning the American League's second lowest ERA of 2.96 wasn't enough, Tommy will once again be scrutinized by those who pay close attention to his work on the mound. He will be trying to improve the ratings, as impossible as that may seem, in his usual easy-throwing style.
But Tommy John kind of feels for the impossible, or shall we say the improbable. In 1975, Dr. Frank Jobe operated on T.J.'s left elbow and told him he may never pitch again. For a year and a half, Tommy exercised and worked his arm until it felt up to the task. In 1976, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was awarded the N.L.'s Comeback Player of the Year award for doing the so-called impossible. In 1977, he went on to win 20 ... and the ratings rose again.
Last season, Tommy won at least 20 for only the second time in his career. He was also picked as the first-ever American League Pitcher of the Month, going 4-0 with a 1.12 ERA in April. With that kind of initial showing, high ratings are again expected for the Yankee with the Bionic Arm. And then, hopefully, he can call his award-winning presentation That Championship Season, circa 1980."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"After spending seven years in the National League with the Dodgers, Tommy returned to the American League with the Yankees last year, and he was a huge success. He won 21 games, the second time he had won 20 (20-7 in 1977), making him second in the American League in wins. His 2.96 ERA was second in the league to Guidry's 2.78, he was tied for fourth in games started (36), tied for second in complete games (17), second in innings pitched (276.1), tied for sixth with three shutouts, and sixth in winning percentage at .692.
Tommy started off hot for the Yankees, winning his first nine decisions before losing to the Indians on May 26. He also won 10 of his first 11. TJ recorded four straight complete-game wins at the end of his nine-game streak (May 5-20) including his best performance of the year, a 2-0, 2-hit shutout of the Red Sox at Fenway on May 20. Prior to those four complete games, he made his only relief appearance of the year, May 1 in Anaheim, when he struck out Rod Carew and Don Baylor with runners on first and third, one out in the ninth inning of a 7-7 game; he finished up and won 12-8 in 11 innings.
TJ finished the year winning three straight after breaking a three-game losing streak, all three losses being complete games, that matched his longest losing streak as a Yankee, and came on the heels of a five-game winning streak. Tommy was the American League's first-ever Pitcher of the Month, going 4-0 with a 1.12 ERA in April. He was the AL's Player of the Week May 14-20 with a 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA.
Tommy yielded only nine home runs last year, lowest among AL starters. He had his best 1979 success against the champ Orioles; he was 3-0 against them with a 2.51 ERA. He was 2-0 over the Royals and Rangers. His 1979 strikeout high was seven, done three times. Tommy was named the left-handed pitcher on the U.P.I AL All-Star team. By winning 20 games with the Yankees, TJ became one of eight pitchers to win 20 games in both leagues, the others being Jerry Koosman, Andy Messersmith, Gaylord Perry, Ferguson Jenkins, Joe McGinnity, Jesse Tannehill and Al Orth.
Other than his '75 season on the disabled list, TJ now has had double figures in wins 10 straight years and 13 of 14. He was 87-42 (.674) in his seven National League seasons with the Dodgers and is now 105-100 in the AL. Tommy had his best NL year in 1977, going 20-7 with a 2.78 ERA. He had an eight-game win streak that year and won 14 of his final 17 decisions. TJ finished second to Steve Carlton in the '77 Cy Young voting.
Tommy made one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history. He led the National League in winning percentage in 1973 and '74. In 1974 he was off to his best year and had a 13-3 mark when the injury came about. TJ ruptured a ligament in his left elbow on July 17, 1974 against Montreal, then underwent surgery on September 25, 1974 as a tendon from his right forearm was used in the reconstruction of his left elbow. The operation, performed by Dr. Frank Jobe, was the first of its kind; as a matter of fact, Jobe told Tommy he wouldn't pitch again.
After working hard through the 1975 season, running, exercising and undergoing therapy, TJ appeared in the Arizona Instructional League that year. Tommy came back in 1976 to record a 10-10 record with a 3.09 ERA and won National League Comeback Player of the Year honors. He also won the Fred Hutchinson Award that year.
Prior to coming to the Dodgers, he spent two years with Cleveland and seven years with the White Sox. TJ had a good year in 1965 with Chicago (10-5, 1.98 ERA); in early August, however, he was involved in a fight with Dick McAuliffe and suffered a broken collarbone, sidelining him for the season, after pitching in 25 games.
Tommy was a member of All-Star teams in 1968, '78 and '79. In the NL, he had his best success against the Dodgers' toughest opponents: he was 12-3 lifetime over the Reds and 8-2 over the Giants. He has 36 career shutouts. TJ has hurled four 2-hitters and his strikeout high is 13, done against the Reds on August 8, 1972. Although his nine-game win streak last year was his longest in one year, he had a 10-game win streak stretched over the end of '73 and the beginning of '74. In his first pro game, Tommy beat Baltimore 6-0 on 72 pitches. He had his best year in the minors in 1963 at Charleston (9-2, 1.61 ERA) to earn a promotion to Jacksonville and then to Cleveland.
Tommy graduated from Terre Haute Gerstmeyer High School where he received 35 scholarship offers, all in basketball. He attended Indiana State College in Terre Haute, and last winter was given the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to any Indiana State student.
An outstanding golfer, Tommy has his own celebrity golf tournament, in California, for the benefit of cancer research. He moved his home to New York, and stayed busy making charity and civic appearances last winter."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Rick Cerone

"Unless you are from New Jersey or followed Seton Hall baseball around the mid-seventies, the name Rick Cerone may not have been familiar to you prior to last November 1. It was on that date the Yankees, feeling the need for a right-handed hitting catcher, pried Rick loose from Toronto and brought him back home to the Metropolitan Area.
Rick left the campus of Seton Hall University as Cleveland's Number One selection in the June 1974 draft and reached the majors briefly in 1975 and 1976. In the ensuing off-season, he was shipped to the expansion Blue Jays, becoming a part-time regular in 1978.
Last season was Rick's first as a regular catcher. He showed enough promise for the Yankees to select him as the heir apparent to the void left by the untimely death of Thurman Munson. Rick was named the Blue Jays' most improved player last season when he drove in 61 runs and hit .261 after the All-Star break. He is also known as an excellent defensive catcher, having ended Ron LeFlore's 27 consecutive stolen base streak and Mitchell Page's streak of 26 straight.
It's a happy homecoming for the 26-year-old Newark native, and if he comes on early as he did late last season, New York will be off to a fast start."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"After a slow start, Cerone came on in the second half of the season for the Blue Jays. Batting just .219 at the All-Star break, he batted .261 after the break to finish at .239. Rick had 61 RBIs, fourth on the Jays, and was third on the club in triples (4) and doubles (27). He had six game-winning RBIs, tied for second on the Jays, and he was the most difficult Blue Jay to double up.
Rick had a 10-game hitting streak from August 14-27, batting .500 (15-for-30), raising his average from .216 to .238. He finished the season strong with a six-game hitting streak, going 10-for-23 (.435), raising his final average from .229 to .239, which marked his highest average of the year.
Cerone was not affected by right or left-handed pitching, batting .239 against right-handers and .238 against southpaws. His best month was July when he hit .282 with 14 RBIs. He batted .378 against the Red Sox and .458 against the West champ Angels. Rick was voted the Blue Jays' most improved player by the Toronto BBWAA for the 1979 season.
Rick was Cleveland's number one selection in the June 1974 Free Agent Draft, was assigned to Oklahoma City, and was called up to the Indians, after only 46 games in the minor leagues, on August 15, 1975. He appeared in seven games for the Indians that year, getting his first big league hit off Kansas City's Paul Splittorf on August 22. Rick started the 1976 season at Toledo, where he was the International League's All-Star catcher, and was called up by the Indians after an injury to Alan Ashby. He was traded to the Blue Jays in the off-season (December 6, 1976) with John Lowenstein for Rico Carty.
Cerone was the Jays' Opening Day catcher in 1977 but then broke his thumb five days into the season. He was optioned to Charleston to get back into shape, and upon his return to Toronto homered off Nelson Briles. 1978 was Rick's first full season in the major leagues, and he hit .302 that August. He threw out Ron LeFlore to end his consecutive stolen base streak at 27 (in 1977 he threw out Mitchell Page after he had 26 consecutive steals).
Rick had an outstanding collegiate career at Seton Hall University. Two times an NCAA All-American catcher, he played in the College World Series in 1974 and 1975. Rick holds nearly every offensive record at Seton Hall. He batted .410 his senior year in '75 with a school record 15 home runs, 64 RBIs and 125 total bases, and was an academic All-American. He had a .362 career batting average and fenced at the Hall. Rick has a B.S. in Physical Education.
Cerone played baseball, football and fenced at Essex Catholic High School. As a quarterback in his senior year, he threw 13 touchdown passes for a 6-0-2 team.
Born and raised in Newark, Rick recently bought a new home in Dunedin, Florida. He enjoys golf, tennis, racquetball and photography."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Bucky Dent

1980 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Hero of the Yankees' World Series win over the Dodgers in '78. Baseball's new sex symbol, Bucky's good looks make him a favorite with female fans. He figures his Series fame was worth an additional $200,000 in appearances and endorsements.
'It's been a dream.' Bucky is represented by former Miami Dolphin star Nick Buoniconti, now a lawyer.
Born in Savannah, Georgia, his given name is Russell Earl Dent. He's one of the top defensive shortstops in the game. The first time he ever saw a big league game, he played in it. Bucky rose to stardom with the White Sox, and was acquired by the Yankees in a trade in '77 as George Steinbrenner sought to field an All-Star at every position."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"What a difference a year makes! Following the 1978 season, you couldn't go through a day without hearing the name Bucky Dent mentioned. He was the toast of the town. His monumental home run against the boys from Beantown thrust the Yankees into the playoffs. His four RBIs against the Royals helped the Bombers enter the World Series. His .417 average-seven RBI-MVP performance against Los Angeles led the Yankees to their 22nd World Championship. He was legend.
But 1979 rolled around and Bucky's performance rivaled the Yankees ... that is, they both had off years. The Yankees slipped to fourth place and Bucky's offense fell off noticeably. Despite troubles at the plate, he still played steady defense (ranking second in the league among shortstops) as the Yankees themselves led the league in that department. Proving just how valuable he really is, Bucky never let his sagging bat weigh down his defensive performance.
During the off-season, Bucky worked out three days a week and concentrated on an improved 1980 season. As a six-and-a-half-year veteran, this 28-year-old is not willing to relive his previous misfortunes. He's smelled the sweet rose of success and he's anxious for more. By enjoying a banner year in 1980, he can only help hoist the pennant for the Bombers."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Following his super World Series performance in 1978, Dent dropped off a bit in 1979. He started off good offensively, batting as high as .281 on May 27 (he was at .300 on May 13), but then slumped, going 2-for-36 from May 29 to June 9, his average falling to .232. Bucky then went on a 9-for-21 streak over his next six games to get his average up to .254. He had a six-game hit streak (May 22-28) and had three-hit games against the Mariners on July 12 and the A's on July 19. Bucky had six game-winning RBIs, batted .270 with men in scoring position and .262 with men on base.
Bucky was solid defensively for the Yanks. His .977 fielding average was second among the league's regular shortstops (Rick Burleson was first at .980).
The 1978 season was an injury-plagued year for Bucky, but he capped it off with a super World Series performance that earned him MVP honors. He batted .417 in the Series (10-for-24) with seven RBIs, and turned in a great job defensively against the Dodgers. Bucky had started his '78 postseason heroics by hitting a three-run homer off Mike Torrez in the playoff game with the Red Sox, bringing the Yanks from behind as they clinched the Eastern Division. It was one of the most publicized home runs in recent years. Bucky suffered much of the year with a pulled right hamstring.
He teams with Willie Randolph to give the Yankees one of the best young double-play combinations in the game. Bucky had a string of four straight years over 150 games played snapped in '78. He had a .981 fielding percentage which was third among AL shortstops that year.
Dent first came up to the White Sox in 1973. In his rookie year in 1974, he was runner-up to Texas' Mike Hargrove in the American League's Rookie of the Year voting. He was named shortstop on the major league All-Rookie team that year and led the A.L. in sacrifice hits with 23. Defensively Bucky has been among the league leaders every year in total chances accepted. He tied for the league lead in double plays by shortstops in 1974 with 108, and he led the league in 1975 with 105 twin killings.
1975 has proven to be Bucky's best all-around year so far. In addition to the double plays, he was first in fielding (.981), putouts (279), assists (543) and total chances (838). He committed only 16 errors and was named to the American League's All-Star team.
An all-around athlete, Dent was an All-State halfback at Hialeah (Florida) High School. He attended Miami Dade North Junior College, where he was an All-American infielder. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Hialeah. A roommate of Rich Gossage when they were together in the White Sox organization, the first time Bucky ever saw a major league game, he played in it.
Bucky starred in a movie with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders after the 1978 season."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Willie Randolph

"This is his fifth season as a major league regular, yet when the 1980 season began Willie Randolph was only 25 years old. He's grown up with the Yankee resurgence of the late '70s and he's been a vital cog in leading the Yankees back to the top.
Willie's matured considerably since he was a 21-year-old rookie in 1976. He's also quietly become a leader on the club. With his ability to get on base, hit-and-run, sacrifice and steal, he is one of the keys to the Yankee offense. At the plate, he does all the little things well and he's getting better as evidenced by all the personal highs he set last season: hits, RBIs, runs, triples, home runs, walks, steals and games played.
In addition to his important contributions to the Yankee offense, Willie is just as important to the defense. He teams with Bucky Dent to give the Yankees a fine, young double play combination and he helps anchor a defense that led the A.L. in fielding last year, after finishing second the year before.
This Brooklyn native who goes about his business with a quiet confidence is an extremely valuable team member ... and he can only get better with time."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Randolph enjoyed an injury-free year and posted career high totals in games, at-bats, runs, hits, triples, home runs, RBIs and walks. He led the club in games, at-bats, runs, triples, walks and stolen bases while tying for the club lead in hits.
Willie tied for third in the American League in triples with 13, the most by a Yankee since Tommy Henrich's 14 in 1948. He was fourth in walks (95), tenth in stolen bases (32), 13th in runs (98) and 15th in on-base percentage (.376).
He had four hits in a game on three different occasions. After Mickey Rivers was traded, Willie became the catalyst for the Yankees by getting on base and with his ability to steal.
Willie led all A.L. second basemen in putouts (355), assists (478), chances (846) and double plays (128). He committed only 13 errors in anchoring the Yanks' league leading defense, and finished at .985, just .003 behind league leader Duane Kuiper. Willie teams with Bucky Dent to give the Yankees one of the best young double play combinations in baseball.
Willie has spent four full seasons in the majors, despite starting this season at only 25 years old. Last year was the first time that a major league club he has been on failed to qualify for postseason play, and last year was the most injury-free season he has had.
In 1978, he suffered a bruised left knee and a pulled left hamstring. The hamstring, pulled on September 29, kept him out of the playoffs and World Series. Despite the injuries he still hit .279, finished fifth in the league in on-base percentage (.385) and led the team with 82 walks. Willie had a five-RBI game against Boston on September 7, 1978, and was also named to the A.P. and U.P.I. All-Star teams.
In 1977, he kept the injuries to a minimum although he missed some games with a bruised right thumb and a sore right knee. Following that season he was named to the A.P., U.P.I. and Sporting News All-Star teams.
His injuries during his rookie year of 1976 consisted of a right shoulder injury and an injury to the outside of his right knee which required some minor surgery following the season. Willie still was the first rookie ever listed on the All-Star ballot. He also won the James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding rookie in the Yanks' spring training camp that year, and following the season was named to the Topps Rookie All-Star team.
Randolph has stolen 118 bases in 155 attempts as a Yankee, a .761 percentage. He ranks 15th among the all-time Yankee stolen base leaders.
Willie was named to the A.L. All-Star team in '76 but was replaced due to an injury. He started the All-Star Game in '77, played all nine innings, and set a record for most assists by a second baseman with six.
Originally drafted by the Pirates in the seventh round of the June 1972 Free Agent Draft, Randolph was called up in 1975 when he was leading the International League in hitting. He didn't play much behind Rennie Stennett, but the scouts knew he was a top prospect and he was a key man in the trade with the Pirates. He played winter ball in Venezuela in 1975.
Although he was born in South Carolina, Willie and his family moved to the Brownsville section of Brooklyn when he was just a baby. He played stickball in the streets and in the fields of Canarsie and baseball at Tilden High School. Willie has three brothers and a sister. His brother Terry was drafted in the 11th round by the Green Bay Packers as a defensive back in 1977 and spent 1979 with the Jets on the injured reserve list."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Reggie Jackson

1980 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Mr. October watched the World Series on TV for a change last fall. He has repeatedly emphasized his desire to be traded.
'I just want out. I can't take it anymore.' Eligible to become a free agent again at age 35, Reggie would like to be the first player to sign multi-million dollar contracts twice in his career. Born in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, he's articulate, outspoken and controversial.
'I speak in headlines.' Reggie made no secret of his contempt for Billy Martin. He actively supports several charities. A sensitive man with a massive ego that is easily hurt, Reggie can carry the club all by himself when he's hot. He's not an outstanding outfielder."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"Playing for the New York Yankees will always cast a spotlight on some, while others will always breed controversy. Reggie Jackson has faced more controversy than anyone in the game today and he has always come up the better man for it. Fans are always ready to discuss whether he is really worth his salt. Reg asks the ladies and gentlemen of the jury to look over the evidence. Just the facts, please!
For the third consecutive year, Reg gave New York another outstanding performance. He hit a career high .297, tying Lou Piniella for the club batting title. He also led the Bombers with 29 home runs, 89 RBIs and 11 game-winning RBIs. In all of the American League, Reggie was fifth in slugging percentage at a .544 clip ... and this was done despite missing the entire month of June due to injury. His 369 lifetime homers entering this season tie him with Ralph Kiner for 25th on the all-time home run list. And there's so much more, you'd have to miss four innings to get everything down.
When the situation is tense and crucial, there aren't many who are willing to sacrifice life and limb for the ball club. If there are any questions, please consult the fourth game of the World Series two seasons ago. Reggie's 'bottoms up' play swayed the emotional tide toward the Yankee blue and they continued to play inspired ball as they won their 22nd World Championship. Always thinking, always reacting, always mired in controversy. But then, what else would you expect from a Yankee named Reggie Jackson."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Reggie had a third consecutive outstanding year as a Yankee last season. He hit a career high .297, tying Lou Piniella for the club lead, and also led the club with 29 home runs, 89 RBIs and 11 game-winning hits. Reggie was fifth in the A.L. in slugging (.544), tied for seventh in home runs and tied for 11th in on-base percentage (.388). He once again had a 'hot' month of September, hitting seven of his 29 homers, and driving in 20 runs during the month.
He accomplished all that despite missing almost the entire month of June. On June 2 he suffered a partial tear of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis (sheath of muscle) in the left calf area while jogging in from the outfield in the ninth inning. Reggie did not return until June 29.
Reggie had his biggest day of the season on July 7 at Oakland when he drove in five runs with four hits, including a home run; he also had four hits on August 15 against Texas. He scored his 1,000th run during the season. Reggie's longest hitting streak of the year was 10 games, and he drove in at least one run in each of those games (5/4-5/13). He went 1-for-3 as a pinch hitter, a game-winning two-run homer on April 10 in Baltimore.
He has improved his defense greatly the past two years. Reggie had only four errors last year, after three the year before. He also had seven assists, after six the year before.
Jackson has 369 career home runs, tied with Ralph Kiner for 25th all-time, and only Carl Yastrzemski among active American Leaguers has more. Last year, Reggie became the 10th player in history to hit 20 or more in 12 seasons, and only the ninth in history to hit 25 or more in nine straight seasons. Jackson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Frank Robinson are the only major leaguers to have 350 homers and 200 stolen bases lifetime.
During the decade of the '70s, Reggie hit 292 home runs, tops among all American Leaguers, and second only to Willie Stargell's 296 among all players. He also had 922 RBIs during the decade, again the best mark in the A.L. and fourth behind Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Lee May among all players. Over the last six years, Reggie has 180 home runs, best in the A.L. and third in the majors behind Mike Schmidt (216) and George Foster (181). He had five seasons of 30 or more homers, and four of 100 or more RBIs. Reggie has seven career grand slams, three as a Yankee.
Jackson is averaging 29 home runs and 99 RBIs in his three Yankee seasons and has led the club in RBIs and slugging all three years. Reggie led the club in homers last year and tied Nettles for the club lead in 1978. In '78, he hit eight of his 27 home runs in September and drove in 26 of his 97 runs that month to help him place ninth and seventh in the league, respectively. Reggie also had 10 game-winning hits that year after pacing the club with 20 in '77.
During that 1977 season, he was fifth in the A.L. in homers and sixth in RBIs. Reggie also had a 14-game hitting streak, his longest since a 15-game streak in 1974. He stole 17 in 20 attempts that year and grounded into only three double plays, just one short of the Yankee record held by Mantle and Rivers. The Yankees took off in '77 after Reggie was inserted into the cleanup spot permanently on August 10; from that point until the end of the season, he had 13 home runs and 49 RBIs as the Yankees won 40 of their final 53 games.
Reggie signed a five-year contract with the Yankees after he played out his option with Baltimore following the 1976 season. He was an Oriole for only one season. He missed a month of that year, but still finished second to Nettles for the home run title and led the league in slugging for the third time.
Jackson achieved much of his fame as a member of the Oakland A's from 1967-75. He helped them to five Western Division titles and three World Championships. Reggie led the league in home runs in 1973 and tied for the lead in 1975. In 1969 he challenged the Maris home run record and wound up with a career high of 47. In 1973, he was MVP in the A.L. and in the World Series, and also was the Sporting News Player of the Year.
In 1975, he became the only player to homer in all 12 American League parks in one season. His top home run parks are Oakland-130, Yankee Stadium-61, Baltimore-24, Milwaukee-20, Detroit-17 and Minnesota-16.
A nine-time All-Star, Reggie is best remembered for his tape-measure home run in Detroit in the 1971 All-Star Game, a shot that bounced off the transformer on the right field roof at Tiger Stadium. He was the top vote-getter in the 1974 fan balloting.
Jackson was drafted number one by Oakland in 1966 and signed after his sophomore year at Arizona State for a reported $95,000 bonus. He was the Southern League Player of the Year in 1967 and reached the majors by the end of the season. The Yankees player representative, Reggie also served in the same capacity with the A's until he was traded to Baltimore on April 2, 1976 with Ken Holtzman and Bill Van Bommel for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez and Paul Mitchell.
Reggie has been the World Series MVP twice, in 1973 and again in his record-breaking 1977 Series- he set five Series records and tied three others. He continued in 1978 when he tied Lou Gehrig's record of at least one RBI in eight straight World Series games. Reggie has 23 World Series RBIs, 12th all-time and nine World Series homers, sixth all-time. He has now hit safely in 13 of his last 14 postseason games (ALCS and World Series), going 23-for-50 (.460), and he has reached base 29 of his last 50 trips to the plate in postseason play, a .580 on-base percentage. Reggie was injured and missed his first World Series in 1972 when he pulled a hamstring in a play at the plate in the final game of the ALCS against the Tigers. He has a .767 slugging percentage in World Series play, tops among those in 20 or more Series games.
One of six children born to Martinez and Clara Jackson, Reggie grew up in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, where his father was a tailor. He played baseball, basketball, football and ran track at Cheltenham High School, where he ran the 100 in 9.7, was a halfback on the football team, and pitched three no-hitters. Reggie batted .550 in his senior year, earning both a baseball and a football scholarship to Arizona State. He left after his sophomore year, but went back to earn a Biology degree."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Rich Gossage

1980 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Gossage missed 78 games last season after suffering sprained ligaments in his right thumb in a clubhouse scuffle with teammate Cliff Johnson. Nevertheless, he saved 18 of the 36 games he appeared in and won five others.
The undisputed ace of the Yankee relief corps, Gossage signed a $2.75 million contract with the Yanks as a free agent. Born in Colorado Springs, he's capable of overpowering any hitter in the league. Known as 'Goose' he jumped from Class A to the majors in '72, making his big league debut with the White Sox at age 19. Goose was also used as a starter while with Chicago, but was much more effective in relief."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"Everyone who had seen him pitch knew Rich Gossage was someone special. Yankee superscout Birdie Tebbetts said it best when in his report on 1977 free agents, he suggested the Yankees not let any American League rival club sign Gossage. Well, the Yankees weren't about to let this Golden Goose slip out of their hands. When the Yankees announced the November 1977 signing of Rich Gossage, all who were present flashed brilliant smiles knowing the Yankees had made a strong move to bolster their late-inning relief.
In his first Yankee season, 1978, all Goose did was compile a league leading 27 saves, good enough to win the Sporting News Fireman of the Year and Rolaids Relief Man of the Year awards. He was also on the mound for the final out of the three most important victories that season: the playoff victory in Boston, the ALCS clincher against Kansas City and the World Series finale in Los Angeles.
Last season, a clubhouse scuffle produced torn ligaments in his right thumb, requiring surgery and causing him to miss three months of the season. But after a premature return to action, Goose was nothing short of sensational after the All-Star Game. He went 4-2 with a 1.59 ERA and 15 saves down the stretch. Even though he missed those twelve weeks, he still finished sixth in the A.L. in saves. He topped off the season by winning the A.L. Pitcher of the Month award in September, proving to Yankee fans that the Goose is indeed back one hundred percent."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Goose missed 12 weeks of the 1979 season with a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the right thumb suffered in a clubhouse scuffle with Cliff Johnson following the game of April 19. An operation was performed on April 22, and he did not pitch again until July 12. His '79 season can be divided into three parts: before the injury (1-1, three saves, 4.32 ERA, six games, 8.1 innings, nine hits, four earned runs, seven walks, four strikeouts), rehabilitation (0-0, no saves, 9.64 ERA, two games, 4.2 innings, seven hits, five earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts) and post All-Star Game (4-2, 15 saves, 1.59 ERA, 28 games, 45.1 innings, 32 hits eight earned runs, 10 walks, 34 strikeouts).
To say the least, he was fairly sensational after the All-Star Game, culminating in his being named American League Pitcher of the Month for September when he was 3-1 with six saves and a 1.82 ERA. Goose finished the season strong enough to place eighth in the A.L. in the Rolaids Relief Man standings with 43 points, one behind teammate Ron Davis; he also finished sixth in saves with 18- and he missed three months of the season.
As in 1978, Rich finished very strongly. In his last 28 games, he allowed runs in just four games and hits in just 15, and in his last 20 games, he had four wins and 12 saves, allowed runs in just two games and hits in just 11. He also struck out 30 and walked just six in 35.1 innings during those last 20 games, and did not allow a home run.
Gossage signed a six-year contract with the Yankees after he was their number one pick in the 1977 Re-Entry Draft. He was the man the Yanks were after following scout Birdie Tebbetts' recommendation that they let no contending club in the league get him. Goose responded with a super season: he led the A.L. in saves with 27 and won both the Sporting News Fireman of the Year and Rolaids Relief Man of the Year awards. He was on the mound at the finish of the three most important Yankee wins of 1978: the playoff win in Boston, the ALCS clincher against Kansas City, and the World Series finale with the Dodgers.
Rich started his Yankee career slowly, dropping his first three decisions, but then won three and saved seven in his next 12 appearances. His most impressive '78 outing was September 3, when he struck out the side (Paciorek, Robertson, Cruz) against Seattle on 11 pitches, with none out in the ninth with the tying run on third and the lead run on second. Goose finished '78 very strongly, earning 10 saves and two wins in his final 15 appearances. He added a win and a save in the ALCS and a win in the World Series.
Before coming to the Yankees, he spent a year in Pittsburgh, winning 11 and saving 26 while fashioning a sparkling 1.62 ERA in a then Pirate record 72 games. Goose struck out eight of 11 Dodgers he faced in a game on May 19 of that year.
Gossage had spent his entire career with Chicago prior to that after being scouted, drafted and signed by Bill Kimball in 1970. In 1971, he was the Midwest League Player of the Year after an 18-2 record with a 1.83 ERA at Appleton. He made the jump from A-ball to the majors the next year, making his debut at age 19. Goose won his first seven big-league games, all in relief, and his only loss that year was in his only starting assignment late in the year.
Rich was A.L. Fireman of the Year in 1975 with the White Sox. He compiled a league leading 26 saves with a 9-8 record in 62 games and had a 1.84 ERA, allowing only three homers and 99 hits in 142 innings. He was made a starter in 1976, but the Pirates moved him back to the bullpen the following year.
He came up in the White Sox organization with Bucky Dent, and they were roommates as well as teammates. Gossage grew up a Yankee and Mickey Mantle fan in his native Colorado Springs. He was captain of the basketball team at Wasson High where he played against the Rams' Cullen Bryant and is a member of the Wasson High School Hall of Fame. Goose attended Southern Colorado State College where he majored in Forestry. He lists Rod Carew as his toughest individual opponent.
Gossage enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and racquetball."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Fred Stanley

"The West Coast may have its hero, but the Yankees have their own fine, feathered friend. Fred Stanley, affectionately called 'Chicken' because of his unique style of running, doesn't worry about Ted Giannoulous stealing the show. Without a doubt, Chicken is one of New York's darlings.
Year in and year out, Chicken turns over the double play, pops his annual home run (even if it's down the FOWL line) and lays down the perfect sacrifice bunt. His ability to play all infield positions makes him one of the most valuable utility men in baseball.
So next time you're watching the 'other' bird playing up to the crowd and the umpires, take a long, hard look at number 11 and remember that he can take the starch out of the opposition without so much as ruffling a feather."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Stanley once again proved his value to the Yankees as one of the outstanding utility infielders in baseball. He appeared in 57 games last year and played all four infield positions in addition to one game in left field.
Fred had three game-winning RBIs for the Yankees last year. He also had two home runs, and they were hit within six days of each other, one on August 16 against the Twins, and the other a three-run shot off Paul Splittorf that sealed a 6-2 Yankee come from behind win over the Royals. He had a four-game hit streak, August 16-19.
Stanley was the Yankees' number one shortstop in 1975 and 1976 and has served primarily as a backup for Bucky Dent the past three years in addition to backing up the other infield positions. He did a good job filling in Dent when Bucky missed time with a pulled hamstring in 1978. Fred started off well offensively in '78, batting as high as .276 in July. He batted a respectable .261 in 1977 but had his best season with the bat in 1976, his average reaching as high as .277
One of the few players who was with the club in the 'old' Yankee Stadium, Stanley has six Yankee home runs, two of them being grand slammers; his first was the last grand slam home run hit in the 'old' Yankee Stadium (September 8, 1973 against Milwaukee) and the other being hit off Mike Torrez of the Red Sox on June 20, 1978 to key a 10-4 Yankee win. His third Yankee homer won a ball game on July 2, 1977, when he connected for a two-run shot off John Hiller in the eighth inning to beat the Tigers 6-4. Last year was only the third time in his career that he has hit more than one home run in a season, the first being at Cleveland in 1971, and the second time was in the minors at Syracuse in 1973.
Known to his teammates as 'Chicken,' Fred was with the Pilots, Brewers, Indians and Padres before joining the Yankees. He was originally signed by the Houston organization in 1966 by Karl Kuehl, a former Yankee scout now coaching for the Twins.
Raised in Whittier, California, where he played Little League, Pony League and American Legion ball, Stanley played baseball, football, basketball and ran track in high school. He was the Player of the Year in baseball in '66 and was also an all-league high school football player that year. A business major in college and later a sergeant in the Army Reserve, Fred switch-hit briefly early in his career but is now strictly a right-hander. He enjoys golf, racquetball and hunting.
Fred went 3-for-3 against the California Angels in his first major league game. He lists his biggest thrill as playing in the ALCS and World Series for the first time in 1976.
He's of Swedish-Irish descent."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Ron Davis

"Ron began the season at Columbus but was recalled because of the injury to Rich Gossage. He was quickly demoted, then recalled on May 28 and immediately became the surprise sensation of the Yanks' pitching staff with 14 wins and nine saves- all in relief.
Born in Houston, Ron joined the Yankees in '78 from the Cubs in exchange for Ken Holtzman. There were 46,000 people on hand to see his major league debut- it was Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. His 9-2 record at West Haven in '78 was the best in the team's history.
Ron was the Cubs' number three pick in the '76 winter draft."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"Just two short seasons ago, Ron Davis was enjoying a mediocre career as a starting pitcher with the Chicago Cubs organization. He was heading nowhere fast and he had yet to even reach the triple-A level. But on June 15, 1978, Ron Davis' career suddenly took a turn for the better. On that day, the Yankees sent Ken Holtzman to the Cubs for a minor league pitcher from Houston, Texas named Ron Davis.
From that day on, the 24-year-old right-hander was asked to concentrate on pitching relief and the rest is history. At West Haven, Ron rolled up a 9-2 record and a 1.50 ERA. His .818 winning percentage was the best in West Haven's history. For his efforts, Ron was called up to the majors and worked in four games with the Yankees.
Last year, Ron started off in Columbus and was called to the Yankees when the bullpen situation became desperate. It was at this time that he distinguished himself as a premier relief artist. His 14-2 record and 2.85 ERA was worthy of him being mentioned as a Rookie of the Year candidate. His 14 wins set a record for most wins by an American League rookie pitcher in relief, breaking a 52-year-old record previously held by Wilcy Moore of the 1927 Yankees.
What kind of encore can Yankee fans expect from this long and lean Texas? You'll be sure to see more middle and long inning relief work with Goose back in the lineup. But no one will be expecting too much ... just a repeat of his freshman season!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Davis was the surprise of the year for the Yankees and a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. He set a record for most wins by a rookie pitcher in relief with 14, breaking the record of 13 set by Wilcy Moore of the 1927 Yankees.
Despite a 1.28 ERA in spring training, Ron was sent to Columbus for some seasoning at the AAA level. After Rich Gossage's thumb injury, he was called up on April 24, but one after shaky appearance was sent back down on May 3; however, injuries to Ron Guidry (hamstring) and Ed Figueroa (elbow) sent Ron up again on May 28. That night he forced Sixto Lezcano into a double play with the lead run on base in the eighth inning, and he went on to earn his first major league win. Two nights later, he forced Gorman Thomas to do the same in the ninth inning of a similar situation. Again he earned a win. Four days later, he enticed Junior Moore into an eighth-inning double play in the same situation and earned his third straight win. The last one was in front of a Jacket Day crowd of 55,000 at the Stadium.
Ron went on to win eight straight, along with four saves as a short reliever, before he suffered his first loss on July 14. By that time, Rich Gossage had come back, forcing Ron into a different role. He continued to pitch well, however, and finished with four wins and two saves in his last nine games. He was 6-1 with five saves in his last 22 games. Ron also became the fourth Yankee pitcher to bat since the designated hitter rule; he struck out against Mark Clear in the 10th inning at California on July 14.
Ron joined the Yankees in mid-1978 from the Cubs organization. He had been primarily a starter with the Cubs' farm clubs but became a reliever at West Haven. He was 9-2 with a 1.50 ERA and five saves, although he was in only 21 games. His .818 winning percentage was the best in West Haven's history. Ron saw action in four games with the Yankees in '78, all in relief. His major league debut was Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium before 46,000 people.
Davis was the Cubs' number three selection in the January 1976 Free Agent Draft. He was only 20-21 lifetime with a 4.88 ERA in the Cub system, including only 3-3 with a 6.35 ERA in '78. Since joining the Yankee organization and becoming strictly a reliever, he is 23-5 with a 2.66 ERA.
Ron wed Millie Gollinger right after the 1979 season ended. He spent most of the off-season in the New York area, living in the New Jersey home of his bullpen mate Rich Gossage while Goose was in Colorado. Ron was kept busy as a banquet speaker in the area.
He's a native of Houston where he was a baseball, basketball and tennis standout at Milby High School. Ron was a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, and has a degree in Special Education from Blinn. He lists Catfish Hunter as his favorite player.
Ron enjoys hunting and fishing."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Tom Underwood

"His goal in '79 was not to lose 20- and he made it. His brother, Pat, pitches for the Tigers. Tom dueled his brother once last year and lost. He's critical of the Blue Jays' policy of pampering kids: 'The rest of us are tired of being babysat. We're men.'
Tom has one of the best curves of any left-hander in the league. Born in Kokomo, Indiana, he snapped the Jays' jinx against the Orioles with a win on September 11- Toronto's first against the Birds in more than a year. He came to the Yankees in the Chris Chambliss deal.
Tom's fastball is underrated. He was the Phillies' number two draft pick in June 1972 and was a winner in the National League."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"Without thinking twice, Tom Underwood responded with pride and as little hesitation as possible when asked whether he would enjoy being a member of the New York Yankees.
'Are you kidding?' he smiled. 'I wanted to go to a contender. The Yankees, that's the place to be.'
Coming from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade completed last November, his native of Kokomo, Indiana entertains visions of a winning season and a possible shot at a pennant with the Yankees. He can throw strikes and he proved himself by leading the Blue Jays in batters fanned last season. He also led them in wins, ERA, starts and innings, despite losing his first nine decisions. For his efforts, Tommy was named Blue Jays Pitcher of the Year.
Only 26, Underwood already has five and a half seasons in the majors under his belt. Manager Dick Howser feels Tommy can be an important left-hander in the Yankee pitching corps, especially with the results he's posted against such rivals as the Baltimore Orioles, who he held to a 1.72 ERA in 1979. With much more offensive punch, Tommy won't only recognize Lady Luck, he'll probably find her rooting him on in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"After a start that saw him lose his first nine decisions, Tommy finished up strong with a 9-16 mark and led the Blue Jays in wins (9), ERA (3.69), starts (32), innings (227) and strikeouts (127). He was named Blue Jays Pitcher of the Year.
Underwood won his first game of the year on June 15, beating the A's 5-0 with a 5-hit shutout. That win broke a 13-game losing streak that had started at the end of the 1978 season- it was actually his first win since August 8, 1978. After breaking into the win column, Tommy then lost his next start to the Yankees, a tough 2-1 defeat on June 20, giving up just six hits. But then he came back to beat the Yanks for win number two on June 25 with a 3-1, complete game 3-hitter. His low hit game of the year was a complete game 2-hit, 3-2 win over the Royals (two unearned runs) on August 7. Tommy finished up with three straight wins, and he won four of his last five, and five of his last eight decisions. He beat Guidry 3-2 for his final win of the year on September 21.
Underwood was a hard-luck pitcher for the Jays all year. Opposing hitters batted just .253 against him, and he was 3-0 with a 2.09 ERA in September. He pitched well at Exhibition Stadium, going 8-5 there with a 3.09 ERA. Tommy was especially impressive against the Al champ Orioles, with a 1.57 ERA in four starts against them. He had a winning record over the Yanks, though, going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts.
Tommy was the Blue Jays strikeout leader in his first season with them in 1978. He was also the unluckiest pitcher on the Jays' staff that year; more unearned runs were scored on him while he was on the mound than on any other Blue Jay pitcher. Tommy pitched a 2-hitter against the A's on May 2 to set a club record for fewest hits given up by a Blue Jay pitcher in a complete game, and lost 2-1. He picked up his first AL win by shutting out the A's 4-0 in his next start on May 9. He holds the Blue Jay record for most strikeouts in one year (140 in '78). Tommy was named co-winner of the Labatts Outstanding Pitcher of the Year in 1978.
After spending his first two-and-a-half seasons in the major leagues with the Phillies, Tommy had his first losing season in 1977 (split between the Phillies and Cards) after compiling a 25-18 record with the Phillies from 1974-77. He was 21-4 in his career at Veterans Stadium and appeared in the 1976 NLCS with the Phillies. He was the left-handed pitcher on the Topps All-Rookie team in 1975.
Tommy was the Phillies' number two selection in the June 1972 Free Agent Draft. He had a combined minor league record of 27-12 with 21 complete games and averaged nearly a strikeout per inning in the minors.
Tommy's dad played briefly in the Phillies organization. His brother, Pat, is a pitcher for the Tigers. Tommy faced him on May 31 last year and lost a 1-0 decision to him and to the Tigers; Tommy went all the way on a 6-hitter, Pat gave up three hits in eight-and-one-third innings.
Underwood played football, basketball and baseball all four years at Kokomo High School, and attended Indiana University for one year. He gave up a grand slam to Joe Morgan, getting shelled for six runs in one third of an inning in a nationally televised Monday night game, in his first major league game.
Tommy enjoys golf and hunting, and rooted for the Yankees and Mickey Mantle as a youngster. He lists the Sox' Chet Lemon as his toughest opponent."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Bobby Brown

"Please excuse Bobby Brown if he seems confused. For you see, 1979 was literally an up and down year for this talented 26-year-old outfielder. But more than that, when he was down he was up, and when he was up he was down.
To further explain, during the 1979 season Bobby Brown enjoyed his best success in the minor leagues (when he was down he was up), and what should have been an enjoyable stay in the major leagues was not (when he was up he was down).
Bobby's roller coaster ride began in Toronto, where he went 0-for-10 before joining the Yankees' Columbus club via waivers. When recalled by the Yankees in June, Bobby was hitting .371. He didn't stay in New York very long, going back to Columbus where he posted numbers like .359 and 24-for-27 in steals. He went down and came back up two more times during the year.
His final numbers read like this: in Columbus, .349 with 25 steals; in New York, .250 with two steals. In Columbus, he was the International League's Co-MVP; in New York, he was just another face in the crowd.
Hopefully, some of that enormous talent shown at the minor league level last season will surface at a higher level in the '80s. Only time will tell for Bobby Brown."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"1979 was an up and down year for Bobby Brown- literally. Bobby started the season with Toronto, appearing in four games for the Jays and going 0-for-10. He was then acquired by the Yanks' Columbus club on a waiver claim and got hot as soon as he joined the Clippers. When his contract was purchased by the Yankees on June 20, he was batting .371 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 46 games. He had 22 steals in 24 attempts.
Brown played in six games for the Yanks, batting .294 (5-17), and was sent back to Columbus on June 26 when the Yankees acquired Bobby Murcer from the Cubs. Brown continued to impress at Columbus, batting .359 with seven homers and 35 RBIs, 24-for-27 in steals, when he was called up to New York again on July 8 to replace Mickey Rivers, who was placed on the disabled list. Bobby went 3-for-6 against the Angels on July 14, appeared in seven more games for the Yanks, and was batting .256 when he was returned to Columbus on July 23 as Ed Figueroa came off the disabled list. He came back to the Yankees on August 3 after the Mickey Rivers trade to Texas. At this point, he was hitting .344 at Columbus with eight homers and 41 RBIs and was now 24-for-30 in steals. Bobby appeared in 11 more games and was batting .232, when on August 27 he was sent back to Columbus when the Yanks signed George Scott as a free agent. Brown finished the season with the Clippers, leading them to the International League championship. Bobby came back to New York after the Columbus season, appeared in six more games, and finished up in New York with a .250 average.
Brown batted .349 in his 70 games at Columbus with eight homers and 41 RBIs, and was named to the International League's All-Star team; he was the leading vote-getter among outfielders. He was named the league's co-MVP along with Pawtucket's Dave Stapleton and was named to the Topps-National Association AAA All-Star team.
Bobby started his career in the Baltimore organization and spent four years in the Birds' minor league system before being released after the 1975 season. Signed as a free agent by the Phillies in May of 1976, he joined their Peninsula club and won the Carolina League batting championship with a .349 average, and added 42 stolen bases. Bobby stole 36 bases at Oklahoma City in 1977 while batting .314 in his first appearance at the triple-A level.
Brown started the 1978 season at Oklahoma City and appeared in 50 games there before being traded to the Yankees along with Jay Johnstone in exchange for Rawly Eastwick on June 14. He was assigned to the Yanks' triple-A Tacoma club and appeared in 66 games there with a .310 average.
Bobby was drafted by the Mets off the Yankees' Tacoma roster at the 1978 Winter Meetings (December 4), went to spring training with the Mets, was released and signed with Toronto. The Yankees then reacquired him on a waiver claim by Columbus.
Bobby has stolen 187 bases over the last five seasons (37.4 per year).
Brown graduated from Northampton High in Norfolk, Virginia, where he played baseball and basketball. He led the baseball team to its first title in his senior year and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player. He signed his Baltimore contract following his graduation."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Jim Spencer

"Seemingly lost in the sea of famous names that populate the Yankee roster, Jim Spencer knows what his job is. Even if the television producers aren't knocking down his door for product endorsements, Jim maintains his poise and continues to knock down outfield fences. With little noise, and the least fanfare possible, Spence gets the job done.
During the 1979 season, Jim hit a career high 23 home runs, surpassing his old season high mark of 18 compiled in 1971 and 1977. In '79, Jim had only 295 at-bats and a very respectable .288 batting average to go along with his impressive long ball record.
Who knows? After everyone recognizes his fine stroke and his Gold Glove at first, maybe the offers will come pouring in. But for now, Jim is satisfied with winning ball games and letting his bat do the talking."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Spencer reached career highs last year in batting average (.288) and home runs (23); he averaged one home run for every 12.8 at-bats. Jim hit two home runs in a game on three different occasions; the last one was on the final day of the season, concluding a fabulous final week. He hit five home runs during his last five games, drove in eight runs, scored nine and hit .471 (8-17). Jim hit eight home runs in September after hitting only seven in all of 1978. On August 20, he drove in five runs, scored four and hit two home runs against the Royals.
Jim served primarily as the designated hitter, but also saw considerable action at first base. His fine year allowed the Yankees to deal Chris Chambliss. An excellent fielding first baseman, Jim had only two errors in 251 chances, a .992 percentage. The year before, he did not have a miscue.
His .996 lifetime fielding percentage is the best in baseball history among those first basemen who have played 1,000 or more games at that position. Spencer was the American League's Gold Glove first baseman in 1970 and 1977. In 1976, he led all A.L. first baseman in fielding, committing only two errors for a .998 percentage.
Jim joined the Yankees in 1978 and started well, hitting four home runs in his first nine games. He was 7-for-24 (.292) as a pinch hitter in 1978, including a pinch grand slam to beat the Blue Jays on May 26. All seven of his Yankee home runs in 1978 came prior to June 16; conversely, 18 of his 23 in 1979 came after that date. Jim started Games Two, Five and Six of the 1978 World Series due to an injury to Chambliss.
Originally drafted number one by the Angels in the June 1965 Free Agent Draft, he broke in at Quad Cities. Al Monchack, now the first base coach at Pittsburgh, was the scout who signed Spencer. Jim hit 63 home runs and had 222 RBIs in the next three years at El Paso to earn a trial with the Angels in late 1968; he got a base hit in his first at-bat in the big leagues. He led the Texas League in homers (28), total bases (267) and RBIs (96) in 1968, and was a unanimous Texas League All-Star in '67 and '68. He was the league's MVP in 1968.
Jim started 1969 in AAA but quickly moved up to the Angels where he hit 10 home runs. He hit .274 in '70 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs and won the Gold Glove. Jim was named to the All-Star team in 1973. He posted his top two career RBI totals in Chicago with 70 in 1976 and 69 in 1977, and matched his career-high home run total with 18 in 1977; that same year he had two homers and eight RBIs on two different occasions: May 14 vs. Cleveland and July 2 vs. Minnesota.
The grandson of Ben Spencer, an outfielder with Washington in 1913, Jim grew up in the Baltimore area and played Little League, Pony, Colt and American Legion ball there. He starred in baseball and basketball at Andover High School (Linthicum). His four-year high school batting average was .407, and he was a high school All-American basketball player his senior year. Jim played in Yankee Stadium in 1963 in the annual Hearst Sandlot Games and hit a home run.
Spencer's biggest thrill was playing in the World Series and winning the championship in 1978. He enjoys hunting and playing golf."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Graig Nettles

1980 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"'He's the best in the business,' says Tommy John. 'Nobody else is even close to him. In spite of his defensive prowess, he played the '79 season without a contract. His acrobatic catches made him a hero in the '78 World Series. Quick-witted, he's a streak hitter- when he's hot he's hot.
Born in San Diego, Nettles is very durable and rarely misses a game. Named the all-time Yankee third baseman, he never has received the national publicity many people feel he deserves."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"His teammates call him Puff, his peers call him a true superstar and Brooks Robinson once called him the finest fielding third baseman in the game today. But Graig Nettles will be the first to point out how little all those past accolades really mean. The man with a powerful bat, lightning reflexes and strong arm doesn't really care to rest on his laurels. He'd much rather look forward to the '80s and the hopes of another championship summer.
But Graig deserves recognition ... even if he doesn't care to hear it. Most of the praise has been about his defense ... and rightfully so. His performance in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series has been well documented. Day in and day out, no third baseman is more spectacular or consistent.
Graig's hitting prowess is also well known, but did you know that during the '70s only two other American Leaguers drove in more runs than Graig? And did you that over the past six seasons, only two American Leaguers have hit more home runs? Or that Graig led the league in round-trippers in 1976? How about the fact that his 37 home runs and 107 RBIs in 1977 are the best ever by a Yankee third baseman?
While Graig Nettles is not really an unknown, perhaps some of his finer accomplishments have been overlooked. Just watch this man perform each day in the field and at the plate and you won't need statistics to tell you the story. It will be well documented in living color."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Graig fought off some nagging injuries in '79 and came up with another consistent year, both offensively and defensively, for the Yankees. He was spiked in his left heel, requiring four stitches, on May 7, and then on July 18 during the All-Star break, suffered a lacerated right index finger, in a lawnmower accident at his home, that had some effect on his batting grip and his fielding.
Graig started off fast for the Yanks. In his first eight games he was batting .345 with three home runs and seven RBIs and stayed around the .300 mark into June. He batted .308 in May, was at .318 on May 22, and had a five-game hit streak (10-23, .435) from May 9-13, one of six five-game hitting streaks on the year.
Graig had a two-homer game off Mark Fidrych on May 16 against Detroit, went 4-for-4 against the Rangers on April 22, and had a five-RBI game against the Angels on May 13. From May 12-16 (five games) he picked up 13 RBIs.
Graig went without a home run for 29 games from June 26 to August 4, yet still ended up with 20, the seventh straight year he's had 20+ home runs and his tenth straight year of double figures in home runs. He also had eight game-winning RBIs, third on the club. Graig moved into the all-time Yankee top 20 in RBIs, surpassing Ben Chapman, and he passed Tony Lazzeri to move into the all-time Yankee top 10 in home runs.
Graig was third among the league's regular third basemen in fielding with a .966 percentage, second in double plays with 30, third in total chances with 465, third in assists and fifth in putouts. He played in 145 games, breaking a string of nine straight years in which he had played in 150+ games.
Over the last six years, Nettles has the third highest home run total in the American League; in that span he has hit 159, Reggie Jackson has hit 180 and Jim Rice has hit 172. Graig was third in the American League in RBIs over the decade of the '70s with 831; again Reggie led with 922 while Carl Yastrzemski had 846.
Nettles turned the 1978 World Series around for the Yankees with his fielding exhibition in Game Three, and he was finally recognized around the world for the great third baseman that he is. The Yanks knew it along, and so did anybody else who watched Graig play day in and day out.
Graig tied Reggie for the Yankees' home run lead with 27 in '78 and had a career high batting average of .276. He led the Yankees with 13 game-winning RBIs in '78. Nettles had a .975 fielding percentage that year, breaking the all-time Yankee single-season mark, which he already jointly held, and led the league with 20 double plays. He was named to the 1978 AP and UPI All-Star teams, along with the Sporting News and Baseball Bulletin All-Star teams.
Graig led the Yankees in homers in 1977 with 37, second in the league, after winning the A.L. homer title in '76 with 32. He set personal highs in home runs, RBIs (107) and runs (99) in '77, having what was probably his finest offensive year. He was named to the Sporting News and UPI All-Star teams that year and was fifth in the MVP vote.
Graig now holds the all-time Yankee record for most homers and RBIs by a third baseman in a single season. He was named the all-time Yankee third baseman in a special poll of sportswriters in 1977. By winning the home run title in 1976, Graig was the first Yankee to do that since Roger Maris in 1961. He also stole a career high of 11 bases in '76. He has missed only 38 games in his seven years with the Yankees. A four-time All-Star, Graig has led the Yanks in homers five times.
Nettles was a baseball and basketball star at San Diego State before signing with the Twins in 1966. His first full year was 1969 when he was a member of the AL Western Division champs. Graig was dealt to Cleveland in December 1969 with Dean Chance, Bob Miller and Ted Uhlaender for Luis Tiant and Stan Williams. While with Cleveland, Graig set records for assists by a third baseman in one season (412 in 1971) and for double plays in a season (54 in '71). He was Cleveland's Man of the Year in 1971.
An accomplished golfer, Graig is nicknamed 'Puff' by his teammates. He's the brother of Jim Nettles, former outfielder with the Twins, Tigers and Indians."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

HOME RUN LEADERSHIP FOR NETTLES
"Graig Nettles became the American League's all-time home run leader for third basemen when he hit his 267th at that position (#280 overall). He surpassed Brooks Robinson when he hit one over the right field wall at the Stadium on July 21."

-New York Yankees 1980 Scorebook and Official Magazine

1980 Profile: Lou Piniella

"They say he can't run, he's not a great fielder, he looks lazy at the plate and he's getting older. But like Ol' Man River, Lou Piniella keeps rolling along and solidifying his place among baseball's finest.
To dispel those 'rumors' said about Lou, one should simply watch him perform. He can't run? Well, he may not be the fastest man in the East, but he has rolled up 56 doubles and seven triples in the past two seasons. Not a great fielder? Lou only had 13 assists last year ... good enough to tie him with teammate Ruppert Jones for fourth in the league, and he tied a major league record for an outfielder with two assists in one inning.
He may look funny at the plate, but who can argue with a .290 lifetime average and five .300 seasons. Last year, his .297 average tied him with Reggie Jackson for the team lead. And in the clutch, there are few better. His .342 average with men in scoring position last year was more than admirable. So were his seven game-winning RBIs of 1979.
Yes, Lou Piniella is getting older. Aren't we all? He'll be 37 in August of 1980, but like fine wine, Sweet Lou matures with much class and distinction."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Lou just missed topping the .300 mark for the sixth time in his career, falling just short at .297. It was overall another consistent year for a man recognized as one of baseball's most professional hitters. Lou was extremely good for the Yankees in the clutch, and batted .342 (38-111) with men in scoring position, .341 (73-214) with men on base, and had seven game-winning RBIs.
Lou got off to a slow start, batting just .231 at the end of April, got up to .279 after May, then took off in June. He had a seven-game hitting streak from June 6-13, going 13-30 (.433), to raise his average up to .313, and reached a high point of .321 on July 7. His longest hitting streak of the year was a 10-game streak from August 7-21.
Three times Lou was part of back-to-back home runs, twice with Reggie Jackson. He had a pinch-hit homer off the Indians' Sid Monge on May 27 in the eighth inning to beat Cleveland 5-4. Lou also had two four-RBI games.
Defensively, Lou was tied for fourth in the league, with his new teammate Ruppert Jones, with 13 outfield assists, including two in one inning on June 20 against Toronto, the second time he has done that; he also did it on May 27, 1974, both times tying a major league record.
Lou batted .333 in 16 games as a designated hitter for the Yanks (14-42), and was six-for-twelve as a pinch hitter.
Lou was coming off a 1978 season which saw him bat .314, fourth best in the American League. He also had a good year as a DH (.372) and as a pinch hitter (.444). His average fell below the .300 mark only one day in all of 1978. Lou hit .302 with men on base that year, and his 34 doubles ranked him seventh in the A.L. He became an everyday player in mid-August of '77, and from August 10 to the end of that season hit .342.
Lou has been an excellent postseason performer. He hit safely in all five ALCS games in 1977, and in the first four World Series games. In '78, he hit safely in all six World Series games.
Lou returned to regular duty in 1976 after sitting most of the 1975 season with an inner ear problem that required mid-season surgery. He was runner-up to teammate Dock Ellis for Comeback Player of the Year in '76.
Lou was Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Royals after Kansas City acquired him from the Seattle Pilots prior to the start of the season for ex-Yankee Steve Whitaker. He was the all-time Royals leader in games, at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs and total bases before his trade to the Yankees. Lou was a member of the 1972 American League All-Star team.
Originally signed by Cleveland scout Spud Chandler in 1962, Lou was drafted by Washington later that year, dealt to Baltimore in 1964, and then dealt back to Cleveland in 1966 for catcher Cam Carreon. Lou was selected by the Pilots from the Indians in the 1968 expansion draft.
Not known for his speed, Lou has still managed to leg out 16 triples in the last four years. Always one of the Yankees' most exciting players, fans welcome each of his at-bats with chants of 'Lou, Lou!'
A lifetime native of the Tampa, Florida area, Lou is of Spanish ancestry. He enjoys the stock market and has a landscaping business in Tampa."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 Profile: Ron Guidry

"Not as lucky in '79 as he was the year before- nor as successful. He settled for a mere 18 wins. Hampered by a pulled muscle in his back early in the season, Guidry won 11 in a row after the All-Star break to prove his stunning '78 performance was no fluke. He volunteered for bullpen duty early when Gossage was injured.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Guidry possesses an outstanding curve as well as a blazing fastball and throws remarkably hard for his slender build and size. An excellent fielder, Ron was being groomed to replace Sparky Lyle in the bullpen when the Yankees saw the light and made him a starter. He won just about every pitching award imaginable in '78."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"When the final gun sounds, Ron Guidry will pack his bags and head southwest to the Bayou Country. Carefully setting up his prey, much as he does on the mound, this Cajun boy will enjoy the simple pleasures of hunting and fishing. Louisiana's gain will be New York's loss, but that's not quite for a while.
Ron Guidry, a.k.a. Louisiana Lightning, looks toward 1980 with a red hot fastball and a sharp-breaking slider. His valuable left arm intends to keep the Yankees in business much the same way it has done over the past several seasons. 1977: 16-7 record with a 2.82 ERA. 1978: 25-3 record with an .893 winning percentage, 1.74 ERA and nine shutouts ... all league leading statistics. Two hundred forty-eight strikeouts, including 18 in one game, and 13 straight victories ... all Yankee records. Cy Young Award, Sporting News Athlete of the Year and Man of the Year Award. 1979: 18-8 record, another league leading ERA at 2.78 and 201 strikeouts. It makes one want to come out to the Stadium early to cheer the Gator as he takes his warm-ups in the bullpen.
Confidence! That's something New Yorkers are proud of and that's something Ron Guidry exudes each time he heads to the mound. He knows there is going to be business to take care of before it's time to hunt and fish, and he hopes to be setting up his prey well into October ... on the mound and not on the Bayou."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Following what was one of the most remarkable years a pitcher in the history of baseball has ever had, Guidry finished strong in 1979 to register his second straight great year of pitching for the Yankees.
The year started slowly for Ron. He got off to a 2-2 start and then volunteered to go the bullpen after the Yankees were unable to come up with a replacement for the injured Rich Gossage. Ron relieved against the A's on May 6 and shut them out on two hits for the final 3.2 innings, and got credit for the win as the Yanks scored in the bottom of the 10th to win, 6-5. His next relief appearance came on May 8 against the Mariners, and he shut them out without a hit over the final two innings to save a 5-3 win for Jim Beattie. After not pitching for seven days, it was decided to put Ron back in the starting rotation on May 16 against the Tigers, and he responded with a complete game 6-2 win.
He stayed in the starting rotation the rest of the year. Guidry then dropped five of his next seven decisions and was 6-7 on July 15, after which he took off on an 11-game winning streak, starting with a 12-4 win over the A's on July 21. He would not lose again until September 21, when he dropped a complete game 3-2 decision to the Blue Jays. Ron's 11 straight wins were in consecutive starts from July 21 to September 13. Prior to the streak, he had lost three straight, which represented the longest losing streak of his career (Ron had a 13-game win streak to start the 1978 season). After losing to the Jays to stop the streak, he then beat the Indians 6-3 for his 18th win and 15th complete game of the year, finishing with 12 wins in his last 13 decisions.
Guidry actually deserved a lot better last year; in his eight losses the Yanks were shut out three times and scored just one run three times, and his other two losses were both by one run. Since he returned to the starting rotation on May 16, Ron was 15-6 with a 2.98 ERA. He was 12-1 after the All-Star Game; in 1978 he was 12-2 and was 10-2 in 1977, so he is 34-5 after the All-Star Game the last three years.
Ron finished the season with 201 strikeouts (second to Nolan Ryan's 223), making him the first Yankee pitcher in history to record two 200-strikeout seasons. He led the league in ERA with 2.78, was fourth in wins with 18 and eighth in complete games with 15. Ron had seven 10+ strikeout games in '79 and his K high last year was 13 (May 16 vs. Detroit). He was named to the United Press International All-Star team. He even played center field for an inning on September 29 against Toronto.
To repeat, Ron had one of the best years ever had by a pitcher in the 1978 season. He led the major leagues in wins with 25, winning percentage (.893), ERA (1.74) and shutouts (9). He was second in strikeouts with 248. He started the season with a Yankee record 13 straight wins, breaking the record previously held by Atley Donald, the Yankee scout who signed him. Four times in '78 Ron posted back-to-back shutouts. His nine shutouts on the year set the Yankee record and were the most in a season by an American League left-hander since 1916, when Babe Ruth also had nine (the AL record for left-handers). He won 12 of his last 14 regular-season decisions, with seven of those 12 being shutouts. He completed eight of his last 13, and 10 of his last 16. The Yanks won 30 of the 35 games Ron started in '78, and in the five they lost they scored only seven runs. 15 of his 25 wins followed Yankee losses. The A.L. batted just .193 against him.
Guidry struck out 10 or more in a game eight times, including an 18-strikeout performance against the Angels on June 17 which broke Bob Shawkey's Yankee record of 15, that had stood since 1919, and set an A.L. record for left-handers. He pitched the Yanks' Eastern Division clinching win against the Red Sox, and the pennant clinching win against the Royals.
The list of Guidry's 1978 milestones seems endless. His 248 strikeouts set a new all-time Yankee mark for K's in a season; Jack Chesbro previously held the record with 239 in 1904. He was the first Yankee since Al Downing (217 in 1964) to strike out more than 200 in a season. His .893 winning percentage (25-3) was the best by a 20-game winner in baseball history. His 1.74 ERA was the lowest by a left-hander since Sandy Koufax's 1.73 in 1966. Per nine innings in '78, Ron had the following averages: hits-6.14, runs-2.00, earned runs-1.74, walks-2.36 and K's-8.16. In only two innings all year did he give up more than two runs. He had two 3-hitters and three 2-hitters (lifetime he has five 2-hitters).
The American League's Player of the Month in both June and September of '78, Ron was a unanimous choice as the league's Cy Young Award winner, collecting all 28 first place votes; the only other unanimous winner was Denny McLain in 1968. Other major 1978 awards won by Guidry were: Sporting News Major League Player of the Year, Sporting News Man of the Year, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year; Baseball Quarterly Performer of the Year, Baseball Digest Player of the Year and Baseball Bulletin Player of the Year. He was named to the All-Star teams of the Sporting News, AP and UPI.
The 1978 season followed a year of firsts for Ron in 1977. He picked up his first major league win, first complete game and first shutout. He had his problems in spring training of '77, but came on and held the Yankee pitching together when injuries and ineffectiveness hit the staff. 1977 was Ron's first full season with the Yankees; he was back and forth between the Yanks and Syracuse for the 1975 and 1976 seasons. He was used in relief in six of his first seven appearances in '77, then finished the year with 24 straight starts. Ron finished 18th in the MVP voting in '77 but was the first starting pitcher named (he was runner-up to Jim Rice in '78).
A starter his first three years in pro ball, Ron became a relief pitcher in 1974 at West Haven. The following year at Syracuse he struck out 76 in 63 innings.
Guidry is very popular in his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana. There was no baseball team at his high school, so Ron ran track and was named the outstanding track man at Northside High in 1967 and 1968; he has great running speed and has scored four runs for the Yankees as a pinch runner. He hurled a no-hitter for the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
Of French ancestry, Ron enjoys chess and hunting in his spare time. He says his 18 strikeout performance against the Angels was his greatest thrill in baseball, and lists the Royals' George Brett as his toughest opponent."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

1980 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles

DICK HOWSER (Manager)
"Named to replace Billy Martin last October when the fiery former Yankee manager was fired after allegedly becoming involved in a barroom fight, Howser was in the dugout, coaching Florida State University's baseball team, when George Steinbrenner called to offer him the job. Dick admits he was 'shaken and little shocked' at the time.
'I'm honored to be the manager of the Yankees. It's the only place I want to be at the big league level.' Born in Miami, Howser spent 10 years with the Yankees as third base coach after playing for them for two years. He left after the '78 season to coach at Florida State, his alma mater. Howser was 43-16 his first year at the collegiate level.
'He'll be a good manager,' predicts Bucky Dent. He's described by Yankees who know him as 'a mild-mannered, easy-going guy'- in sharp contrast to Martin. As a coach he befriended the players and kept them loose with his sense of humor. Howser is a close friend and college classmate of movie star Burt Reynolds."

-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition

"Dick Howser has prepared for 1980 for a long time. As a player he was known as a heady, gutsy, good student of the game. He was the Sporting News Rookie of the Year in 1961 when he stole 37 bases and made the All-Star team as a member of the Kansas City Athletics. He went from the A's to the Indians in 1963 and came to the Yankees in 1967.
The second step in Dick's preparation started with his retirement as an active player following the 1968 season. He moved right into the Yankee third base coaching box in 1969, replacing the legendary Frank Crosetti. He manned that position for the next 10 years.
Step three took place last year when he left the Yankees to become the head baseball coach at his alma mater, Florida State. Dick took the Seminoles to the NCAA regionals with a fine 43-16 record and it looked like he'd be a Seminole for a long time.
But on October 28th of 1979, Dick accepted the job as manager of the New York Yankees. It was the only job, Dick said, that could tear him away from Florida State. Tallahassee's loss is New York's gain as Dick attempts to emulate the success of one of his high school and college chums, Burt Reynolds."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Howser became the Yankee manager on October 28, 1979, returning to the Yankee organization after spending a year away as the head baseball coach at Florida State University. Dick was the Yanks' third base coach from 1969-78, then went to FSU in '79 where he led the Seminoles to the NCAA Eastern Regional finals with a 43-16 record in his first year of college coaching.
Dick succeeded the legendary Frank Crosetti as Yankee third base coach in 1969, after an eight-year career as an infielder. He was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year in 1961 when he stole 37 bases and made the All-Star team for the A's. The Yankees obtained him from Cleveland in 1966, and Howser spent two years in New York as a utility infielder. He batted .248 during his eight-year career.
Dick managed the Yankees' Instructional League team in Florida for two years. He managed the Yankees for one game on July 24, 1978, after Billy Martin had resigned, a 5-2 loss to the Royals in Kansas City.
Howser and new Yankee GM Gene Michael formed the Yankees' double-play combination for part of the 1968 season. The two men were both Yankee coaches in 1978, Howser at third and Stick at first.
A friend of Burt Reynolds, with whom he went to high school and college, Dick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Florida State."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


YOGI BERRA (Coach)
"If history repeats itself, the Yankees are in for some kind of season. Yogi returns for his fifth consecutive season and sixth overall as a Yankee coach. Nobody in history has been in more World Series than his Hall of Famer. He played in 14, coached in five and managed in two. Last year, Yogi was on the coaching lines at first base and this year he returns to the dugout."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"One of America's most beloved and recognized celebrities, his return to the Yankees after 12 years coincided with a Yankee pennant in 1976, and they followed with back-to-back World Championships in 1977 and '78. Not surprising to those who know that good fortune follows this Hall of Famer around. He's now been in 20 World Series, a record 14 as a player, three as a Yankee coach, one as a Mets coach, one as Yankee manager and one as Mets manager.
Yogi holds World Series records for games, at-bats, hits, singles and consecutive errorless games (30). A three-time Most Valuable Player (1951, 1954, 1955) and 15 times an All-Star, his 313 homers are the most ever by a catcher. His 30 homers in one season (twice) is a record for catchers, and he handled a record 950 consecutive chances without an error (1957-59). The Yankees retired his (and Bill Dickey's) uniform number 8 in 1972 but brought it back for his return in 1976.
His son Dale is an infielder with the Pirates, and his sons Larry Jr. and Tim played pro baseball and football briefly. Yogi and his sons run a racquetball club in New Jersey."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


CHARLEY LAU (Coach)
"His reputation as a batting instructor extraordinaire preceded Charley Lau to the Yankees. He has been teaching the art of hitting for 11 years now and everywhere he's been the Lau trademark has been recognized. Most of Charley's teaching career had been in Kansas City where he helped develop successful hitters like George Brett and Hal McRae.
Last year, his work was evidenced by the success of Jim Spencer and Reggie Jackson. Now in his second year, Charley looks for more improvement from Yankee hitters."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Lau joined the Yankee coaching staff in 1979 after spending eight years with the Kansas City Royals as their hitting instructor. He's regarded as one of the top hitting instructors in the game, and he was given much of the credit for the Royals' success at the plate and for the development of such hitters as George Brett and Hal McRae. Lau is a firm believer in hitting to all fields and teaches batters to 'go with the pitches.'
Charley joined the Royals in 1971 and became a full-time coach the following year. He had an 11-year major league playing career, highlighted by his catching of Warren Spahn's second no-hitter in 1961, collecting four doubles in a game in 1962, and getting two hits in one inning as a pinch hitter in 1964, the latter two feats tying major league records.
Lau finished his big league career in 1967, and was a coach with the Orioles in 1969 and with the A's in 1970 before joining the Royals."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


JIM HEGAN (Coach)
"Jim Hegan is spending his 16th year as a Yankee coach, but only his second straight due to a five-year stint with Detroit.
As a player, Jim caught Feller, Wynn, Lemon and Garcia, one of the finest pitching staffs in baseball history. Jim brings a wealth of experience, including 17 years behind the plate, five All-Star Game selections, and having been on the receiving end of three no-hitters, to the Yankee bullpen and the pinstriped catching corps."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Jim, who coached 14 seasons for the Yankees (1960-73), returned to them in 1978 after spending five years as the bullpen coach of the Detroit Tigers.
A classic receiver, who played 18 seasons in the major leagues (1941-1960), he handled one of the greatest pitching staffs ever assembled, Feller, Lemon, Garcia and Wynn, while at Cleveland in the late 40s and early 50s. He caught three no-hitters and played in three World Series. Jim also played with the Tigers, Phillies, Giants and Cubs. His son Mike, a former big league ballplayer, is now a broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers.
A petty officer first class in the Coast Guard, Jim caught Bob Feller, in a win, and hit a home run in his first major league game."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


STAN WILLIAMS (Coach)
"Stan Williams enters his first year as the Yankee pitching coach, but he's no stranger to the New York scene or the young Yankee pitching corps. Stan pitched for the Yankees in 1963 and 1964, the middle of a 14-year major league career, and last season he was the pitching coach of the Columbus Clippers.
Stan is known as an excellent teacher and should prove extremely helpful to the Yankee pitching staff."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Stan becomes the newest member of the Yankee coaching staff this year, joining them after serving a year as the pitching coach for the Yanks' International League champion Columbus Clippers. He joined the Yankee organization last year after serving as Bob Lemon's pitching coach with the White Sox in 1977 and '78. Stan previously served as the pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox in 1975 and '76.
He pitched for 21 years, finishing as player-manager at Bristol in 1974. Stan came up to the majors with the Dodgers in 1958 and made a relief appearance against the White Sox in the 1959 World Series. He spent five years with the Dodgers, winning 57 games, and then was traded to the Yankees for Bill Skowron on November 26, 1962. Stan then went to the Indians and was later traded to the Twins in 1969, along with Luis Tiant, for Dean Chance, Bob Miller, Ted Uhlaender and Graig Nettles.
Stan appeared in 68 games for the Twins in 1970, going 10-1 with a 1.99 ERA, and finished his major league career with the Red Sox in 1972."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


MIKE FERRARO (Coach)
"Mike Ferraro begins his second season on the Yankee third base coaching lines, but his first under the man he replaced. This native of Kingston, N.Y. joined the Yankees' coaching staff when Dick Howser left for Florida State last season.
Before the 1979 season, Mike spent five successful years managing in the Yankee farm system. He won three championships and compiled a .600 winning percentage over those seasons."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Ferraro became the Yankees' third base coach, taking over for Dick Howser, who served 10 years at third. Mike had managed in the Yankee farm system since 1974.
At Tacoma in 1978, he took the Yanks' AAA affiliate to the Pacific Coast League championship. Mike started at Oneonta in 1974 and '75, finishing first in 1974. He then managed at Fort Lauderdale in 1976, and then took the Yanks' West Haven (AA) club to the Eastern League championship in 1977. Mike compiled a 331-221 minor league managing record, a .600 winning percentage.
Ferraro spent four years in the major leagues. He was with the Yankees in 1966 and 1968, was a member of the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969 and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972, his best year in the big leagues; he hit .255 with the Brewers, appearing in 124 games.
Mike played baseball, basketball and football at Kingston High School, and his hometown folks honored him with a day at Yankee Stadium in 1972 when he came in with the Brewers. He had rooted for the Yankees and Mickey Mantle as a youngster in Kingston.
Mike holds the major league record (tied) for most assists in a game (nine innings) by a third baseman (11), achieved on September 14, 1968."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide


JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"Coaching for the Yankees is a homecoming of sorts for Jeff Torborg. He resides in Mountainside, New Jersey and played his college ball at Rutgers University. At Rutgers, Jeff earned a B.S. in Education and at Montclair State, he received a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration.
An experienced baseball man who caught three no-hitters in his 10-year career, Jeff is considered an excellent teacher, especially with young catchers."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Torborg joined the Yankee coaching staff last August following his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since 1977.
Jeff played 10 years in the major leagues, seven with Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and their National League champion team in 1966. Jeff caught two no-hitters while with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and by Bill Singer in 1970, and one by the Angels' Nolan Ryan in 1973; the major league record is four by Ray Schalk. Torborg was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968, and he caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single-season strikeout records.
A local resident, Jeff earned a B.S. degree in Education at Rutgers and has a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration from Montclair State. He wrote his thesis on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff was the NCAA batting champion, hitting .537 and setting a record that still stands.
Torborg was one of Billy Martin's All-Star coaches in 1977 and 1978, and was a coach with the Indians from 1975 until he was named manager, replacing Frank Robinson on June 19, 1977."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide