"The Yankees offense sagged miserably last season as they batted a mere .266, tenth-best in the league. In addition, they remained slow afoot, swiping only 63 bases. That's a lethal combination.
The acquisition of Bob Watson, a bona fide .300 hitter, will help. But it will be up to Watson and Jim Spencer to make up for the loss of consistent Chris Chambliss, who was traded to Toronto. Ruppert Jones, obtained in a deal with Seattle, is an exciting offensive player who will help the fans forget center fielder Mickey Rivers. But catcher Rick Cerone (.239), acquired from Toronto, is certainly no Thurman Munson.
You also have to wonder about the ages of key players like Graig Nettles (35), Lou Piniella (36) and Bobby Murcer (33)."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition
PITCHING
"Last season, in spite of the injury to Rich Gossage (18 saves) and an off season by Ron Guidry (18-8), the Yanks finished second in the AL behind the Orioles with a 3.83 ERA. Gone from that pitching staff are Catfish Hunter, Jim Kaat and Don Hood. But the addition of Tom Underwood (9-16) and Rudy May (10-3) should more than make up the difference. Having Gossage healthy for the whole year will help a lot, too. And now that Guidry has proven he's merely human after all, the gutsy left-hander can concentrate on being one of the best pitchers in the business.
If all that isn't enough, don't forget the Yankees still have veteran Tommy John, merely a 21-game winner with the second best ERA in the league last season, wily Luis Tiant and young Ron Davis."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition
FIELDING
"Nobody had a better fielding average than the Yanks' .981 mark last season. And the acquisition of center fielder Jones and catcher Cerone, and the installation of sure-handed first baseman Jim Spencer at first should make them even a bit better this year. Nettles remains in a class by himself at third, while Bucky Dent and Willie Randolph are as dependable as they come in the middle of the infield.
Good pitching depends on good defense, and the Yankees have both."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition
OUTLOOK
"A year ago everything went wrong. Thurman Munson was killed in a plane crash ... Rich Gossage was sidelined for 83 days after injuring his hand in a fight with a teammate ... Bob Lemon was fired ... Guidry, Nettles, Reggie Jackson and Ed Figueroa were all hampered by injuries ... and for once, Billy Martin failed to work his famous magic.
Now the Yankees are in the hands of rookie manager Dick Howser, Cerone has replaced Munson behind the plate, and everyone is healthy. In addition, Steinbrenner has further strengthened his team by signing free agents Watson and May. That ought to be enough."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition
"While the New York Yankees have made many winter moves, neither George Steinbrenner's moneybags nor Gene Michael's acumen could come up with a replacement for their late catcher and captain Thurman Munson.
Ron Guidry and Tommy John are super southpaws, but John and Luis Tiant are getting on in years. A healthy Rich Gossage, coupled with a full year from Ron Davis, will give New York a dynamic duo in relief.
The Yankees have weaknesses at shortstop, where Bucky Dent hit .230, and in pitching depth, which may be hurting if Ed Figueroa can't come back. Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Jim Spencer, and newly acquired Ruppert Jones will generate a decent offense- but all bat from the left side. New DH Bob Watson will see plenty of action."
-Dan Schlossberg, Baseball Illustrated 1980
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.
"Reggie Jackson has bad news for his fellow hitters. He thinks teammate Ron Guidry is going to improve.
'He's not going to have a one-seven ERA,' said the hard-hitting Yankee right fielder of Guidry, 'but he can be 25-5 because he's going to become a better pitcher than he is now.
'There are times when you can see him lose his concentration setting up the hitters. But he has the ability to overcome that because he can still throw the ball down the middle and you can't hit it.'
Guidry, the 29-year-old left-hander with a .756 lifetime winning percentage (59-19), was 12-1 from June until the end of the season. For the year, he went 18-8 and posted a league-leading 2.78 ERA. Runner-up for the ERA title was veteran southpaw Tommy John, who was 21-9 and 2.97 in his first year with the Yankees after leaving the Dodgers.
'When I came over here,' John told New York writers last summer, 'I felt if I threw the same way I threw with the Dodgers, I'd be successful.' He was, but age may be catching to him; he'll be 37 in May.
Even older is right-hander Luis Tiant (13-8), listed at 39 but undoubtedly more advanced in years. He was the third biggest winner among Yankee starters last year, but Ron Davis (14-2, nine saves, 2.86) won more than any previous rookie relief pitcher.
Now that workhorse Rich Gossage (5-3, 18 saves, 2.64 in 36 games) is fully recovered from an April 1979 thumb injury, Davis could be shifted to a starting role. First-year manager Dick Howser, a former Yankee coach, will also audition southpaws Tom Underwood (9-16, 3.69 at Toronto) and Dave Righetti, a 21-year-old Guidry lookalike who was named all-star left-hander in the Eastern League.
Two other promising rookies, Jim Lewis and Mike Griffin, will compete with Ken Clay, Rudy May, Don Gullett (torn rotator cuff), Ed Figueroa (elbow bone chips), Underwood, Righetti and possibly Davis in bids for rotation berths.
Strong-armed Rick Cerone (.239, 7, 61 at Toronto) faces a challenge behind the plate from power-hitting rookie Dennis Werth (.299, 17, 74 at Columbus), while Brad Gulden battles Bruce Robinson for a backup role. Unfortunately, none of this group comes close to Thurman Munson's ability.
Howser's infield includes Jim Spencer (.288, 23, 53 in 106 games) at first, Willie Randolph (.270, 32 stolen bases) at second, Bucky Dent (.230) at short, and Graig Nettles (.253, 20, 73) at third.
Nettles, who will be 36 before season's end, will be spelled on occasion by newcomer Eric Soderholm (.261 at Chicago and Texas), while the left-handed Spencer will sometimes sit down for Bob Watson (.337, 13, 53 in 84 games for Boston). Fred Stanley and perhaps Brian Doyle will be all-purpose subs, but it's doubtful hot prospect Roger Holt (.280 at AAA Columbus) will sit on the Yankee bench.
Watson, a one-time National League All-Star, will share designated hitter duties with left-handed hitters Oscar Gamble (.358, 19,64 in 100 games) and Bobby Murcer (.273, 8, 33 for New York in limited service).
Gamble, who suffered a broken left collarbone playing winter basketball at home, hit .389 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 36 games with the Yankees after returning from the Rangers last summer. He and Murcer will be used in a left field platoon with veteran Lou Piniella, a 36-year-old right-handed hitter off a .297 year.
Center belongs to left-handed batter Ruppert Jones, 25, acquired from the Seattle Mariners. He hit .267 with 21 home runs, 78 RBIs and 33 steals in 162 games- the entire schedule- and scored 109 runs. He also ranked second in the A.L. in putouts and chances, tied for fourth in assists, and made only five errors. His presence dampens the prospects of Bobby Brown (.349, 25 stolen bases at Columbus), a switch-hitter who starred at AAA.
Last but not least, Reggie Jackson will be the Yankee right fielder. He's entering the fourth year of a $2.66 million deal that runs five years. At age 33 in 1979, he produced a career high .297 batting average, 29 homers and 89 RBIs. Jackson has hit at least 25 homers for 12 straight seasons.
New York is a good club, but weak spots do exist."
-Dan Schlossberg, Baseball Illustrated 1980
"When the Yankees were picked virtually by everybody to repeat as American League champions last year, a statement on these pages read: 'If there is a hole in the Yankee structure, it could surface in the bullpen ... Sparky Lyle went to Texas, leaving Rich Gossage to do a job that wasn't big enough for both of them.'
The April locker room scuffle between Gossage and the departed Cliff Johnson clearly was the reason the Yankees fell off the pace and never recovered, even though Gossage recovered to save 18 games and win five after missing two months of the season. The bullpen weakness was predictable. The untimely death of Thurman Munson on August 2 was not. Nevertheless, the Yankees finished 89-71, a record good enough to win the weaker Western Division but good only for fourth in the 'loaded' East. Big Ron Davis, a relief 'find,' stepped in magnificently for Gossage, winning 14 and saving nine.
Embarrassed by their low finish, the Yankees set about quickly to improve themselves and now can be expected to return to the top- or very close to it. They went full tilt in the re-entry draft and came out with two of those they wanted most, veterans Rudy May and Bob Watson. Not satisfied with the catching they had left, they dealt Chris Chambliss to the Blue Jays and from Toronto got Rick Cerone, a New Jersey native who still hasn't hit much at 25 but is expected to be an improvement defensively, even though his 13 errors were second-most in the American League.
The man they wanted most, however, was Ruppert Jones, the Seattle Mariners' every-improving center fielder who likely will be a fixture for the New Yorkers for the decade ahead. Jones, who turned 25 during spring training, hit .267 with 21 homers. He cost the Yankees four players who will be important to the Mariners but were ruled expendable by New York. Jones, a left-handed batter, should find Yankee Stadium to his liking with its inviting right field home run range.
The sacrifice of Chambliss was no big risk because the Yankees gave Jim Spencer a multi-year contract and a promise he would play more first base than he did last year when his .288 average and 23 homers were achieved with fewer than 300 times at bat. The addition of Watson, who batted .337 in 84 games at Boston, may have made Spencer wonder if he would be platooned, however. Watson, a first baseman, figures more as a DH, most observers feel.
For a time, the Yankees' front office had some worries about the infield. But they recaptured their own Bucky Dent at the 11th hour when Bucky pulled out of the re-entry draft and signed with them. George Steinbrenner may have worried a little about age creeping up on Graig Nettles, whose home run production has fallen off in the last two years, though he did hit 20 in 1979. But Nettles is 35, so the Yankees packaged some minor leaguers for Texas and got Eric Soderholm, 31, in return. Soderholm (.231 at Chicago and Texas) and Nettles (.253) might see some platooning, though Soderholm's mobility is not what it was prior to his knee operation of 1976.
Willie Randolph (.270) is back at second after a fine season, and Dent hopes to improve on his .230 stickwork now that his mind is settled with a long-term contract. Rookie Roger Holt, a switch-hitter who batted .280 at Columbus, was getting a long look as a spare infielder.
The Yankee outfield remains loaded, with Reggie Jackson, Lou Piniella and Bobby Murcer in the front ranks of those who will flank newcomer Jones. Reggie and Bobby are both 34, however, and Lou is 36. Jackson and Piniella batted .297, Murcer .273 after coming from the Cubs. And one wonders how the Yankees will find more frequent employment for Oscar Gamble, a .358 hitter with two clubs last year. He probably will be the left-handed DH, and Bobby Brown a switch-hitting utility outfielder.
Little need be said about Yankee pitching. It's talented and deep, the starters led by Tommy John (21-9), Ron Guidry (18-8) and Luis Tiant, who finished 13-8 without winning a game until May. Lefty May (10-3) for Montreal can start or relieve. Ed Figueroa, back after surgery for elbow chips, counts '79 as a lost season. He was 4-6 and may take more time to regain his skills. Don Gullett missed the entire year recuperating from his rotator cuff operation and still hopes for a comeback.
But there are hurlers waiting in the wings. Tom Underwood brings a deceiving 9-16 record from lowly Toronto. Jim Lewis (13-8 at Spokane) came from Seattle, and Dave Righetti, Double-A pitcher of the year at West Haven, is another in the future book.
Brad Gulden, Dennis Werth and Bruce Robinson are Cerone's challengers behind the plate. Only Gulden (40 games and .163) has much big league experience."
-Richard Dozer, Street and Smith's Official 1980 Baseball Yearbook
"There's been a changing of the guard on the team Billy Martin left strife-torn last season in fourth place, 12 1/2 games off the pace. Gene Michael is the new GM and former Yankee third base coach Dick Howser, who returned from coaching at Florida State, is the manager. New players include third baseman-DH Eric Soderholm, slugging first baseman-DH Bob Watson, promising center fielder Ruppert Jones, catcher Rick Cerone and pitchers Rudy May (free agent) and Tom Underwood. Missing are Thurman Munson (deceased), Catfish Hunter (retired) and Chris Chambliss, Juan Beniquez, Jim Beattie and Jerry Narron (traded).
An abundance of outfielders- Jones, Oscar Gamble, Lou Piniella, Bobby Murcer and Reggie Jackson- could present problems. So could confrontations between Watson and Jim Spencer at first, and Soderholm and a slowed down Graig Nettles at third. Shortstop Bucky Dent leaves much to be desired as a hitter, Jones is no Mickey Rivers and Cerone can't fill the void left by Munson's death.
Starting pitchers include Ron Guidry (18-8 with 201 strikeouts), Tommy John (21-9) and Tom Underwood (9-16 for Toronto). Aged Luis Tiant and ailing Ed Figueroa are question marks. Only the bullpen seems superb with Goose Gossage, Ron Davis and May.
All of which indicates some early July 4th fireworks in store for the club and owner George Steinbrenner."
-Roy J. Silver, Baseball Today, 1980
"PROBLEMS: The installation of methods and mannerisms of a new manager, as Dick Howser moves in to replace Billy Martin at the Yankee helm. While still in charge, Martin had become disenchanted with the center field play of Mickey Rivers and dealt the controversial star to Texas. It was learned in August and September that the young catchers in the New York farm system just weren't capable of replacing the late Thurman Munson. The retirement of Jim 'Catfish' Hunter left a spot open in the starting rotation, a crew that was already unsettled in the number 3,4 and 5 spots.
PITCHING: Owner George Steinbrenner unzipped the purse strings again last winter in order to sign free agent hurler Rudy May from Montreal. May is expected to fill the long relief role in the bullpen, freeing Goose Gossage and Ron Davis for late-inning duty. Rudy will also see spot starting duty, especially if Ed Figueroa is slow in recovering from last year's arm surgery and veteran Luis Tiant is unable to take a regular turn behind staff leaders Tommy John and Ron Guidry.
In an attempt to fill pitching and catching needs, the Yankees sent Chris Chambliss, rookie pitcher Paul Mirabella and infielder Damaso Garcia to Toronto for catcher Rick Cerone, pitcher Tom Underwood and outfielder Ted Wilborn. Underwood, who had a hard-luck 9-16 log with the Blue Jays, could be a big winner with New York's good defensive infield behind him.
The rotation now lines up as Guidry, John, Underwood, Figueroa and Tiant, with the Goose, Davis and May as main men in the pen. It could be a great staff. But the ages of Tiant and John and the injury to Figueroa make it very much a question mark until actual play begins.
HITTING: [The average] could be even lower than last year, when New York's team average was no better than 10th in the league. Cerone, though a fair defensive catcher, is definitely no Munson at the plate. Jim Spencer and Oscar Gamble will alternate in replacing Chris Chambliss at first and in the DH slot, with free agent catch Bob Watson as the right-handed hitter. After long contract discussions, the front office was able to sign shortstop Bucky Dent and third baseman Graig Nettles last fall, which will help keep pennant hopes high.
Another trade, with Seattle, brought center fielder Ruppert Jones to Gotham. Jones, a talented athlete, has been known to once in a while shy from intense effort. His defensive work was okay in the small Mariner park, but he'll be sorely tested in spacious Yankee Stadium. Ruppert is not a high average hitter but has fair power and good speed (33 stolen bases last season).
Two big bats remain from the New York title years in the form of Reggie Jackson and Lou Piniella. Lou, however, is on the downhill side of 35 and could well have his best years far behind him.
INFIELD: Perhaps a step behind afoot from the crews in Baltimore and Detroit, but Dent and second baseman Willie Randolph are a proven double-play combination. Nettles is superb with the glove, making up some for his streak-hitting tendencies.
Cerone will throw better than the sore-armed Munson his last year and a half with the Yanks but is not as quick in other defensive areas. It will take time for Rick to learn how to get the most from the mound staff, and it's up in the air as to how the veteran pitchers will respond to directions from the young receiver.
First base play will be excellent when Spencer has the glove, fair with Watson and Gamble in the lineup. Eric Soderholm was acquired from Texas in an attempt to shore up a weak bench on the left side of the infield.
OUTFIELD: Will rate as poor defensively, unless Jones surprises and really takes charge. Jackson, Piniella, Bobby Murcer and Gamble are definitely not Gold Glove threats. The garden corps will really suffer if Ruppert can't cover a lot of ground.
PROGNOSIS: A lot of talent and pride on hand, but this is an aging ball club in spite of the acquisition of the younger newcomers. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Detroit are younger and hungrier. Another disappointing third place finish is the forecast for the 1980 Yanks."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1980
Starting pitchers include Ron Guidry (18-8 with 201 strikeouts), Tommy John (21-9) and Tom Underwood (9-16 for Toronto). Aged Luis Tiant and ailing Ed Figueroa are question marks. Only the bullpen seems superb with Goose Gossage, Ron Davis and May.
All of which indicates some early July 4th fireworks in store for the club and owner George Steinbrenner."
-Roy J. Silver, Baseball Today, 1980
"PROBLEMS: The installation of methods and mannerisms of a new manager, as Dick Howser moves in to replace Billy Martin at the Yankee helm. While still in charge, Martin had become disenchanted with the center field play of Mickey Rivers and dealt the controversial star to Texas. It was learned in August and September that the young catchers in the New York farm system just weren't capable of replacing the late Thurman Munson. The retirement of Jim 'Catfish' Hunter left a spot open in the starting rotation, a crew that was already unsettled in the number 3,4 and 5 spots.
PITCHING: Owner George Steinbrenner unzipped the purse strings again last winter in order to sign free agent hurler Rudy May from Montreal. May is expected to fill the long relief role in the bullpen, freeing Goose Gossage and Ron Davis for late-inning duty. Rudy will also see spot starting duty, especially if Ed Figueroa is slow in recovering from last year's arm surgery and veteran Luis Tiant is unable to take a regular turn behind staff leaders Tommy John and Ron Guidry.
In an attempt to fill pitching and catching needs, the Yankees sent Chris Chambliss, rookie pitcher Paul Mirabella and infielder Damaso Garcia to Toronto for catcher Rick Cerone, pitcher Tom Underwood and outfielder Ted Wilborn. Underwood, who had a hard-luck 9-16 log with the Blue Jays, could be a big winner with New York's good defensive infield behind him.
The rotation now lines up as Guidry, John, Underwood, Figueroa and Tiant, with the Goose, Davis and May as main men in the pen. It could be a great staff. But the ages of Tiant and John and the injury to Figueroa make it very much a question mark until actual play begins.
HITTING: [The average] could be even lower than last year, when New York's team average was no better than 10th in the league. Cerone, though a fair defensive catcher, is definitely no Munson at the plate. Jim Spencer and Oscar Gamble will alternate in replacing Chris Chambliss at first and in the DH slot, with free agent catch Bob Watson as the right-handed hitter. After long contract discussions, the front office was able to sign shortstop Bucky Dent and third baseman Graig Nettles last fall, which will help keep pennant hopes high.
Another trade, with Seattle, brought center fielder Ruppert Jones to Gotham. Jones, a talented athlete, has been known to once in a while shy from intense effort. His defensive work was okay in the small Mariner park, but he'll be sorely tested in spacious Yankee Stadium. Ruppert is not a high average hitter but has fair power and good speed (33 stolen bases last season).
Two big bats remain from the New York title years in the form of Reggie Jackson and Lou Piniella. Lou, however, is on the downhill side of 35 and could well have his best years far behind him.
INFIELD: Perhaps a step behind afoot from the crews in Baltimore and Detroit, but Dent and second baseman Willie Randolph are a proven double-play combination. Nettles is superb with the glove, making up some for his streak-hitting tendencies.
Cerone will throw better than the sore-armed Munson his last year and a half with the Yanks but is not as quick in other defensive areas. It will take time for Rick to learn how to get the most from the mound staff, and it's up in the air as to how the veteran pitchers will respond to directions from the young receiver.
First base play will be excellent when Spencer has the glove, fair with Watson and Gamble in the lineup. Eric Soderholm was acquired from Texas in an attempt to shore up a weak bench on the left side of the infield.
OUTFIELD: Will rate as poor defensively, unless Jones surprises and really takes charge. Jackson, Piniella, Bobby Murcer and Gamble are definitely not Gold Glove threats. The garden corps will really suffer if Ruppert can't cover a lot of ground.
PROGNOSIS: A lot of talent and pride on hand, but this is an aging ball club in spite of the acquisition of the younger newcomers. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Detroit are younger and hungrier. Another disappointing third place finish is the forecast for the 1980 Yanks."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1980
1980 Yankees Depth Chart
C Rick Cerone (.239-7-61)
1B Jim Spencer (.288-23-53)
2B Willie Randolph (.270-5-61)
3B Graig Nettles (.253-20-73)
SS Bucky Dent (.230-2-32)
LF Lou Piniella (.297-11-69)
CF Ruppert Jones (.267-21-68)
RF Reggie Jackson (.297-29-89)
Designated Hitter: Oscar Gamble (.358-19-64)
Starting Pitchers: Ron Guidry (18-8), Ed Figueroa (4-6), Tom Underwood (9-16), Tommy John (21-9), Luis Tiant (13-8), Rudy May (10-3)
Relief Pitchers: Rich Gossage (5-3, 18 saves), Ron Davis (13-2, 9 saves)
Key Reserves: Bob Watson, Bobby Murcer, Lenny Randle, Bobby Brown, Fred Stanley, Eric Soderholm
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1980
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