"A fine off-season acquisition from Cleveland last February, he ranked as the club's most impressive newcomer. Mumphrey batted close to .300, stole 52 bases and had a hot September to help the club finish strong. He became a full-time starter with the Padres and registered career highs in most departments.
Born in Tyler, Texas, Mumphrey's best previous season was 1979 when he batted .295 as a part-timer with the Cardinals. He was swapped to the Indians for Bobby Bonds and then was shipped to San Diego for Bob Owchinko and Jim Wilhelm. Jerry joined Gene Richards and Ozzie Smith to give the club a trio of class base stealers and shored up the center field position. He batted .387 in September."
-Nick Peters, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1981 Edition
"Speed, poise, strength, pride. These words have been used to describe the many inhabitants of center field past. Now, simple letters strewn together to form descriptive words also form number 22 ... the center fielder of Yankee present: Jerry Mumphrey.
During spring training, the Yankees traded for this five-year veteran from the San Diego Padres to give them more consistency in the outfield and more speed on the base paths. By stealing 52 of 57 bases in '80 and by handling more than 400 chances in the outfield, Jerry Mumphrey seems to be one of the missing links to the Yankees' championship puzzle of 1981.
New York may be the town Jerry has been searching for in his baseball travels. Like so many others who've admired its special aura, Mr. Mumphrey finds Yankee Stadium a beautiful place to play and it will be even more special when he roams the great expanses of Yankee Stadium's center field come October and postseason time. Welcome to the House That Ruth Built, Jerry!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1981 Yearbook
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