"George Steinbrenner's master plan a year ago was to build a team with speed and run off with the pennant, but it proved a dismal failure as the Yankees stole only 69 bases. Now, King George is trying to do it the conventional way- with power. He went out and signed free agents Steve Kemp and Don Baylor to join Dave Winfield in the middle of the New York lineup.
Kemp should give the Yankees the left-handed punch they were missing last year with the defection of Reggie Jackson to the Angels, and Baylor is a proven RBI man. If Winfield comes anywhere close to matching his stats of a year ago (37 homers, 106 RBIs), the offense should be improved.
But problems remain. The Yankees need more offense out of catchers Rick Cerone and Butch Wynegar, and out of first base, where Ken Griffey and a cast of thousands will play. Also, does third base belong to aging Graig Nettles or Roy Smalley?
Finally, the Yankees can play only nine men at a time. By obtaining Kemp and Baylor, it means less action for quality hitters like Lou Piniella and Oscar Gamble."
-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition
PITCHING
"The Yankee offense looks improved, but the pitching does not. This is a staff that appears average at best and is maybe even a notch below that. It desperately needs a take-charge guy and maybe Ron Guidry (14-8, 3,81 ERA) can assume that role. But the left-hander tailed off last year after a quick start and he's no longer an awesome presence on the mound.
After Guidry come two other southpaws- Dave Righetti and Shane Rawley. As good as Righetti may be someday, he still hasn't displayed consistency over a whole year. And Rawley is only in his second year as a full-time starter.
The Yankees could also use a dependable right-handed starter. Doyle Alexander was a bust last year and Rick Reuschel was out all season. The bullpen was always a plus- as long as Rich Gossage was throwing bullets. But the right-hander was sidelined with a sore arm the final six weeks. To back up Gossage, the Yankees acquired Dale Murray from Toronto and signed free agent Bob Shirley."
-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition
FIELDING
"The once strong Yankee defense fell off last year and it is suspect this season simply because a lot of players could be doing a lot of moving around. Apparently, the only stability is in left field, where Winfield won a Gold Glove, and at second, where Willie Randolph is one of the best.
But the Yankees need to decide who will be at shortstop and third base. Also, Kemp is not a strong defensive player and the Yankees discovered last year that Jerry Mumphrey is just an average center fielder."
-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition
OUTLOOK
"The addition of Kemp and Baylor should at least make these Yankees stronger than last year's miserable edition. But there are still too many holes for this club to be in its usual spot as the favorite.
The main questions are whether the Yankees' thin pitching can hold out for 162 games and whether manager Billy Martin can make a difference. No one will know until the season starts if Gossage is completely healthy. And the world awaits the latest chapter in the Billy the Kid serial."
-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition
"After losing the 1981 World Series to the Dodgers in six games, George Steinbrenner apologized to the people of New York for the performance of his baseball team. Last year the Yankees finished fifth in the East with a 79-83 record. Again, George apologized, sending letters to his season ticket holders promising better things for the future.
Many of those ticket holders are still bitter about the departure of Reggie Jackson. That's one of the big reasons Yankee Stadium attendance was down over a half million from 1980, the last full season. But, if the Yankees win, the fans will be back.
There's another thing that's sure to put fans back in the Stadium seats. The word has spread that Billy Martin will return as Yankee manager for the 1983 season, or at least part of it. That's right, Steinbrenner and Martin, the Liz Taylor-Richard Burton of baseball, are going to try it again. We'll see what happens.
There's talent here that didn't play anywhere near its potential in 1982. That's why George used three managers, five pitching coaches, three batting coaches and 47 players to get things going. They never really did gain any momentum.
Lost in the shuffle of the bad year was a very good effort by Dave Winfield, who more than earned his big bucks in 1982. The big left fielder hit .280, powering 37 homers and 106 RBI. Winfield's home run production forced Steinbrenner to nix plans for bringing in the fences and altering the spacious Death Valley. It remains intact.
Winfield will again play left this year, although a preseason trade of Jerry Mumphrey (.300, 9, 68) could change that and see Winfield shift to center. Free agent signee Steve Kemp (.286, 19, 98 with the White Sox) is likely to end up in right, with Ken Griffey (.277, 12, 54) a candidate for first base, a spot at which the Yankees have been hurting. Outfield depth will come from Lou Piniella (.307, 6, 37), the right-handed DH and batting coach, Oscar Gamble (.272, 18, 57), the left-handed DH, and youngsters like Mike Patterson and Don Mattingly. Free agent Don Baylor, who led the AL with 21 game-winning RBI last year, signed with the Yanks and will be a right-handed DH. He hit .263 with 24 homers and 93 RBI in California.
With Griffey slated to move to the infield, promising power hitter Steve Balboni will have competition for the first base spot. Despite trade rumors, Willie Randolph (.280) is set at second. Roy Smalley (.255, 20, 67) appears headed from short to third with young Andre Robertson, a slick fielder, taking over at short. Captain Graig Nettles (.232, 18, 55) will back up at third and other infield depth will come from Butch Hobson and Barry Evans. There's a young second baseman named Edwin Rodriguez who can play the field and will get a look.
Steinbrenner signed Rick Cerone to a four-year contract over the winter, giving the Yankees a Cerone-Butch Wynegar duo behind the plate. Both were hampered seriously by injury and sickness and there will be a battle for the regular spot this time around. Brad Gulden, Juan Espino and Barry Foote vie for the third receiving spot.
The pitching staff revolves around lefties Ron Guidry (14-8, 3.81), Dave Righetti (11-10, 3.79 despite a trip to the minors) and Shane Rawley (11-10, 4.06 and an effective starter after coming out of the bullpen). The fourth and fifth starters are still up in the air and will likely come from a group made up of Roger Erickson (8-8, 4.61 with Minnesota and New York), Doyle Alexander and youngsters Jay Howell and Stefan Wever. Rich Reuschel, out all last year with shoulder problems that led to surgery, may be back.
In the bullpen, Rich Gossage (4-5, 2.23, 30 saves) hopes to shake off last season's shoulder woes for a strong 1983. He'll get help from Dale Murray, who arrived from Toronto in a trade that involved Dave Collins and pitcher Mike Morgan. Murray was 8-7, 3.16 with 11 saves last year and will be joined by George Frazier (4-4, 3.47) and perhaps Rudy May (6-6, 2.89, 3 saves) or young Curt Kaufman.
The picture isn't clear in New York right now. We'll see how long marriage number three lasts.
'83 FORECAST: FOURTH"
-Scott Michaels, Baseball Forecast 1983
"PROBLEMS: The 'Best Team Money Can Buy,' as put together by George Steinbrenner for 1982, wasn't worth very much. The Yankees finished a dismal fifth in the AL East chase after going to the post as postseason favorites. There was a season-long dearth of production from first base, injuries hurt the output from third base and behind the plate, the bench was erratic, highly touted newcomers failed to perform as expected, and the starting pitching was very inconsistent.
Going to spring training, the club isn't sure who will fill the number three, four and five spots in the starting rotation; is not sure who will be given the first base job; and will be looking for a long-term replacement for aging veteran Graig Nettles at third. There is a heavy need for better right-handed pitching and for a lot more right-handed offensive sock.
Steinbrenner signed free agents Don Baylor, Steve Kemp and pitcher Bob Shirley. He was able to pick up bullpen reinforcement by dealing Dave Collins and Mike Morgan. But this has left the club with too many quality outfielders, and holes in the infield and starting rotation. The long chase to see if Billy Martin would come back also kept things up in the air until spring training began.
PITCHING: With Tommy John off in California, Ron Guidry and Shane Rawley are the only consistent starters sure of jobs for the coming year. After conversion from bullpen work, Rawley has been a pleasant surprise and could easily become a big winner. Dave Righetti lost his control after a super rookie year in '81, and must be considered 'iffy' until he has mastered the strike zone. Shirley has never been a big winner and has a history of being erratic. Roger Erickson, Rudy May and George Frazier will try to hold their spots. Reliever Dale Murray came from Toronto in the Collins deal and will help.
So long as Goose Gossage is firing with strength, the relief corps will be solid. May and Frazier offer good left-right support, and Rawley could again move to the bullpen if the Goose is hurt or loses his effectiveness. On paper the staff is good but not deep enough for the Yanks to be a solid contender.
HITTING: Dave Winfield was a one-man gang for New York, but just couldn't do the power job all by himself. Jerry Mumphrey was his usual excellent in center, and ex-Red Ken Griffey had a fair year. But the offense from every other position suffered. Even though Willie Randolph hit at near his lifetime level, his RBI and base theft output was low. After coming over from the Twins, Roy Smalley fell off in both average and power, and was erratic in his fielding at short. Nettles was hurt, then benched for long periods as Steinbrenner forced his managers to look for an eventual replacement.
Catcher Rick Cerone has recovered from the hurts that limited his effectiveness last year and has signed a new contract. There are rumors Rick may play at third this year with Butch Wynegar staying as the starting backstop, but this is really unlikely.
Lee Mazzilli, player-coach Lou Piniella and the other veterans will alternate as the club's designated hitter and help supply the reserve punch for the Yanks, but the power is way down from the championship era.
To add power, free agent DH Don Baylor from the Angels was signed; the one-time MVP will help. Balboni, Mazzilli and Griffey will likely get tries at first this spring to find the most effective lineup. But more will be required to give this club the run production necessary to challenge Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit for top honors in the Eastern Division.
INFIELD: Smalley has not proven as sharp defensively as the departed Bucky Dent, but he's still a better-than-average glove man. Randolph is excellent at second, while the catching is good whether Cerone or Wynegar is calling the pitches. The big question is at the corners. Nettles is unlikely to be a regular, and the Yanks have been unhappy with the first base situation ever since the trade of Chris Chambliss some years ago. Bench help, especially at the critical second, short and third base spots, is weak.
OUTFIELD: With the arrival of Kemp, Winfield may switch to right with Griffey trying first. Mumphrey figured in trade rumors but has been a steady Yankee performer. The defense is good and the clout is excellent no matter who plays where. Mazzilli, Oscar Gamble, player-coach Lou Piniella and even Bobby Murcer are available for depth. It's a top-flight outfield, but it's too bad none of these hitters can play third base.
PROGNOSIS: Lack of proven starting depth and the infield problems will probably keep New York from getting back to the top quickly no matter what kind of moves are made by ownership. The Yanks will probably be able to finish no better than fourth in this year's East battle."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1983
"The game's greatest soap opera goes back into production this spring as Billy Martin returns to sail the stormy Yankee waters with General George Steinbrenner. You can be sure of two things: there will be headlines and plenty of controversy, and the Yankees will be a vastly improved club under Martin. Billy wouldn't have it any other way.
The Martin move is a smart one, for not only will Billy put the Yankees back on the winning path, he will also put the fans back in the Stadium seats. It makes sense (plenty of dollars and cents.)
This New York team is a veteran one, as players such as Graig Nettles, Lou Piniella, Bobby Murcer, Oscar Gamble, Ron Guidry and Rich Gossage have all been around a while and know what it takes to win. First base is wide open at the present time but you can look for Ken Griffey or the newly acquired Steve Kemp to play the position. Don Baylor, who is another free-agent pickup, will be the designated hitter. Dave Winfield and Jerry Mumphrey return in the outfield. Willie Randolph anchors an infield that includes Roy Smalley and Nettles, with Rick Cerone and Butch Wynegar sharing the catching duties.
The Yankees have plenty of depth and experience throughout the lineup, so the key will be the pitching staff, especially the performances of Guidry and the awesome Goose Gossage. The Bombers will also need strong years from Dave Righetti, who has a world of talent, Bob Shirley and Dale Murray. The Yanks can win it but it won't be easy. It is now a race against old age.
The New Yorkers have become very accustomed to winning since Steinbrenner gained command of the club and nothing less than total success will be tolerated by the organization (meaning George) or Martin. There will be plenty of fireworks in the Bronx this season. Plenty of good baseball, too."
-Jimmy The Greek Snyder, 1983 Baseball Handbook
-Scott Michaels, Baseball Forecast 1983
"PROBLEMS: The 'Best Team Money Can Buy,' as put together by George Steinbrenner for 1982, wasn't worth very much. The Yankees finished a dismal fifth in the AL East chase after going to the post as postseason favorites. There was a season-long dearth of production from first base, injuries hurt the output from third base and behind the plate, the bench was erratic, highly touted newcomers failed to perform as expected, and the starting pitching was very inconsistent.
Going to spring training, the club isn't sure who will fill the number three, four and five spots in the starting rotation; is not sure who will be given the first base job; and will be looking for a long-term replacement for aging veteran Graig Nettles at third. There is a heavy need for better right-handed pitching and for a lot more right-handed offensive sock.
Steinbrenner signed free agents Don Baylor, Steve Kemp and pitcher Bob Shirley. He was able to pick up bullpen reinforcement by dealing Dave Collins and Mike Morgan. But this has left the club with too many quality outfielders, and holes in the infield and starting rotation. The long chase to see if Billy Martin would come back also kept things up in the air until spring training began.
PITCHING: With Tommy John off in California, Ron Guidry and Shane Rawley are the only consistent starters sure of jobs for the coming year. After conversion from bullpen work, Rawley has been a pleasant surprise and could easily become a big winner. Dave Righetti lost his control after a super rookie year in '81, and must be considered 'iffy' until he has mastered the strike zone. Shirley has never been a big winner and has a history of being erratic. Roger Erickson, Rudy May and George Frazier will try to hold their spots. Reliever Dale Murray came from Toronto in the Collins deal and will help.
So long as Goose Gossage is firing with strength, the relief corps will be solid. May and Frazier offer good left-right support, and Rawley could again move to the bullpen if the Goose is hurt or loses his effectiveness. On paper the staff is good but not deep enough for the Yanks to be a solid contender.
HITTING: Dave Winfield was a one-man gang for New York, but just couldn't do the power job all by himself. Jerry Mumphrey was his usual excellent in center, and ex-Red Ken Griffey had a fair year. But the offense from every other position suffered. Even though Willie Randolph hit at near his lifetime level, his RBI and base theft output was low. After coming over from the Twins, Roy Smalley fell off in both average and power, and was erratic in his fielding at short. Nettles was hurt, then benched for long periods as Steinbrenner forced his managers to look for an eventual replacement.
Catcher Rick Cerone has recovered from the hurts that limited his effectiveness last year and has signed a new contract. There are rumors Rick may play at third this year with Butch Wynegar staying as the starting backstop, but this is really unlikely.
Lee Mazzilli, player-coach Lou Piniella and the other veterans will alternate as the club's designated hitter and help supply the reserve punch for the Yanks, but the power is way down from the championship era.
To add power, free agent DH Don Baylor from the Angels was signed; the one-time MVP will help. Balboni, Mazzilli and Griffey will likely get tries at first this spring to find the most effective lineup. But more will be required to give this club the run production necessary to challenge Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit for top honors in the Eastern Division.
INFIELD: Smalley has not proven as sharp defensively as the departed Bucky Dent, but he's still a better-than-average glove man. Randolph is excellent at second, while the catching is good whether Cerone or Wynegar is calling the pitches. The big question is at the corners. Nettles is unlikely to be a regular, and the Yanks have been unhappy with the first base situation ever since the trade of Chris Chambliss some years ago. Bench help, especially at the critical second, short and third base spots, is weak.
OUTFIELD: With the arrival of Kemp, Winfield may switch to right with Griffey trying first. Mumphrey figured in trade rumors but has been a steady Yankee performer. The defense is good and the clout is excellent no matter who plays where. Mazzilli, Oscar Gamble, player-coach Lou Piniella and even Bobby Murcer are available for depth. It's a top-flight outfield, but it's too bad none of these hitters can play third base.
PROGNOSIS: Lack of proven starting depth and the infield problems will probably keep New York from getting back to the top quickly no matter what kind of moves are made by ownership. The Yanks will probably be able to finish no better than fourth in this year's East battle."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1983
1983 New York Yankees Depth Chart
Manager - Clyde King
C Rick Cerone (.227-5-28)
1B Ken Griffey (.277-12-54)
2B Willie Randolph (.280-3-36)
3B Graig Nettles (.232-18-55)
SS Roy Smalley (.255-20-67)
LF Steve Kemp (.286-19-98)
CF Jerry Mumphrey (.300-9-68)
RF Dave Winfield (.280-37-106)
Designated Hitter: Don Baylor (.263-24-93) or Oscar Gamble (.272-18-57)
Starting Pitchers: Ron Guidry (14-8) , Dave Righetti (11-10), Shane Rawley (11-10), Bob Shirley (8-13), Roger Erickson (8-8)
Relief Pitchers: Rich Gossage (4-5, 30 saves), Rudy May (6-6, 3 saves), Dale Murray (8-7, 11 saves)
Key Reserves: Butch Wynegar, Andre Robertson, Lee Mazzilli, John Mayberry, Bobby Murcer, Barry Foote
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball, May 1983
"The game's greatest soap opera goes back into production this spring as Billy Martin returns to sail the stormy Yankee waters with General George Steinbrenner. You can be sure of two things: there will be headlines and plenty of controversy, and the Yankees will be a vastly improved club under Martin. Billy wouldn't have it any other way.
The Martin move is a smart one, for not only will Billy put the Yankees back on the winning path, he will also put the fans back in the Stadium seats. It makes sense (plenty of dollars and cents.)
This New York team is a veteran one, as players such as Graig Nettles, Lou Piniella, Bobby Murcer, Oscar Gamble, Ron Guidry and Rich Gossage have all been around a while and know what it takes to win. First base is wide open at the present time but you can look for Ken Griffey or the newly acquired Steve Kemp to play the position. Don Baylor, who is another free-agent pickup, will be the designated hitter. Dave Winfield and Jerry Mumphrey return in the outfield. Willie Randolph anchors an infield that includes Roy Smalley and Nettles, with Rick Cerone and Butch Wynegar sharing the catching duties.
The Yankees have plenty of depth and experience throughout the lineup, so the key will be the pitching staff, especially the performances of Guidry and the awesome Goose Gossage. The Bombers will also need strong years from Dave Righetti, who has a world of talent, Bob Shirley and Dale Murray. The Yanks can win it but it won't be easy. It is now a race against old age.
The New Yorkers have become very accustomed to winning since Steinbrenner gained command of the club and nothing less than total success will be tolerated by the organization (meaning George) or Martin. There will be plenty of fireworks in the Bronx this season. Plenty of good baseball, too."
-Jimmy The Greek Snyder, 1983 Baseball Handbook
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