The first American League player since Ted Williams to hit .300 and drive in 100 runs in three straight seasons was Thurman Munson. In 1975, Munson hit .318 with 102 RBI. During the 1976 season, he hit .302 with 105 RBI. And in 1977, Munson hit .308 with 100 runs driven in.
Happy Birthday Thurmon Munson!!!
Today we celebrate the birthday and marvelous career of Mr. Thurmon Munson.
An 11-year veteran, that spent his full career in New York wearing pinstripes, Munson was and still is a beloved Yankee.
Taken from us way to early, Munson passed away at the age of 32 in an airplane accident.
Still, what he was able to accomplish in just over a decade on the baseball field is what to this day holds him in very high regards in New York and in the baseball world.
The stats: 1970 Rookie of the Year, 1976 AL Most Valuable Player, 7-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, 2 World Series titles, and the hearts of millions.
Happy Birthday Mr. Munson. You are missed dearly!!!
‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #19
1970 Topps – Card #189 – AKA – ‘The Thurman Munson Rookie Card’
Thurman Munson – An 11-year veteran and 7-time All-star, Munson’s life and career were tragically cut short when he passed away at the age of just 32. A Rookie of the Year and MVP Award winner, Munson was a fan favorite for the New York Yankees. He was a solid all-around player that had a knack for making key defensive plays while also driving in runs and hitting home runs. Munson was a member of the Yankees championship teams of 1977 and 1978.
Dave McDonald – McDonald played in just 33 games between 1969-1971. McDonald has 6 career hits, 1 of which is a home run. He also drove in 6 runs while scoring 3 himself.
“31 in 31” – The 1970’s – Card #17
Thurmon Munson – 1970 Topps – # 189
It’s very fair to say that Thurmon Munson could have ranked much higher on this list if his life were not tragically taken from him at the age of 32.
In just 11 seasons with the New York Yankees, Munson managed to win the team and it’s fans over with his intense play and leadership. In his first full season with the team in 1970, Munson won the league’s Rookie of the Year award and finished in the Top 20 for the MVP as well. Munson had 7 Top 26 finishes for the MVP award and won the title in 1976 with a .302 batting average while smacking 17 homers and driving in 105 runs. In 11 seasons, Thurmon Munson had a career average of .292 with 113 home runs, 701 RBI, and 1,558 hits. A 7-time All-star and 3-time Gold Glove winner, Munson’s all-around play led to the Yankees giving him the title of ‘Captain’.
Munson played in 3 World Series match-ups with the Yankees in 1976, 1977, and 1978. Winning 2 titles in ’77 and ’78, Munson hit .373 in 16 World Series games.
30-Year Old Cardboard 