RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. was a dynamic figure in the world of baseball, known for his fiery personality and strategic mind. Born on May 16, 1928, in Berkeley, California, Martin's journey in baseball began when he was signed by the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. His talent on the field soon caught the attention of
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1977 World Series G6 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast
In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees, managed by Billy Martin, were on the verge of capturing their 21st World Series title, with Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson leading the offensive charge. Meanwhile, Tommy Lasorda's Dodgers sought to extend the series and force a Game 7. Starting for the Yankees was Mike Torrez, while the Dodgers sent Burt Hooton to the mound. The Dodgers, who had a potent lineup featuring Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, needed their offense to step up after losing momentum in the previous games.
The Dodgers struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning on a triple by Steve Garvey, but the Yankees answered quickly. In the second inning, Chris Chambliss hit a two-run homer to tie the game. By the fourth inning, Reggie Jackson launched the first of three home runs, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. Jackson followed up with two more home runs in the fifth and eighth innings, securing his place in history with one of the most iconic World Series performances. Mike Torrez held his ground, despite giving up a solo home run to Reggie Smith in the third inning. The Yankees' defense, led by Chambliss and Bucky Dent, turned key double plays to keep the Dodgers at bay.
With an 8-4 victory, the Yankees clinched the 1977 World Series, their first championship since 1962. Reggie Jackson, earning the nickname "Mr. October," was named World Series MVP for his three-homer performance in Game 6.
The Boss and Billy Martin appear on Letterman, Billy tells a funny story about
how he...
George Steinbrener , Billy Martin on Letterman / The Boss and Billy Martin appear on Letterman, Billy tells a funny story about
how he was punk'd by the great Mickey Mantle.
The decisive Game 5 of the 1977 American League Championship Series featured the New York...
1977 ALCS G5 - New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals - Radio Broadcast / The decisive Game 5 of the 1977 American League Championship Series featured the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals at Royals Stadium. The Yankees were on the brink of another World Series appearance under the leadership of manager Billy Martin, while the Royals, managed by Whitey Herzog, were determined to break through to their first-ever World Series. The Yankees sent left-hander Ron Guidry to the mound, who had been reliable throughout the season, while Kansas City countered with their veteran southpaw Paul Splittorff. Both teams were in fine form, with Kansas City relying heavily on George Brett and Hal McRae, and New York banking on their power-laden lineup, led by Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson.
The Royals took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a triple by George Brett that scored Hal McRae. Kansas City added another run in the third, with Al Cowens driving in McRae to make it 3-1. The Yankees battled back, with a key RBI single from Thurman Munson in the third inning and a clutch RBI from Reggie Jackson in the eighth inning to close the gap to 3-2. In the ninth inning, New York rallied for three runs, capitalizing on a defensive error by Brett and a critical single from Mickey Rivers. Sparky Lyle came in to shut down Kansas City's final attempts, and the Yankees secured the victory to advance to the World Series.
#NewYorkYankees #KansasCityRoyals #RonGuidry #GeorgeBrett #ThurmanMunson #ReggieJackson #ALCS1977 #PaulSplittorff #SparkyLyle #MickeyRivers
On October 8, 1977, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals faced off in...
1977 ALCS G4 - New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals - Radio Broadcast / On October 8, 1977, the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals faced off in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Royals Stadium. The Yankees, under manager Billy Martin, were aiming for another World Series appearance and sent Ed Figueroa to the mound. The Royals, managed by Whitey Herzog, were looking to keep their season alive, with Larry Gura starting for Kansas City. New York had been powered all season by key players like Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson, while Kansas City relied heavily on George Brett and Hal McRae to drive their offense.
The game opened with a fast pace, as Mickey Rivers led off the game with a double, eventually scoring to give the Yankees an early lead. New York built a 4-0 advantage by the third inning, but the Royals quickly answered back in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, with Freddie Patek and Frank White delivering key hits to narrow the deficit to 5-4. Both teams’ offenses quieted down after the early scoring bursts, as the game turned into a battle of the bullpens. Sparky Lyle came in for the Yankees and shut down the Royals' bats, while Kansas City's bullpen, led by Marty Pattin, kept the Yankees from extending their lead.
In the top of the ninth inning, New York added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly from Thurman Munson, and Lyle closed out the game in the bottom half, securing a 6-4 victory.
#Yankees #Royals #ALCS #MickeyRivers #GeorgeBrett #ThurmanMunson #FreddiePatek #SparkyLyle #BillyMartin #HalMcRae
On October 6, 1977, the New York Yankees faced the Kansas City Royals in Game...
1977 ALCS G2 - Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast / On October 6, 1977, the New York Yankees faced the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium. Ron Guidry took the mound for the Yankees, while Larry Hassler started for the Royals. The Yankees were in pursuit of their 23rd American League pennant, coming off a strong season under manager Billy Martin. Key players like Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson led their lineup. The Royals, on the other hand, were making their first postseason appearance after winning the AL West, with stars such as George Brett and Hal McRae at the forefront of their campaign.
The game began slowly, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The Royals struck first in the third inning when Freddie Patek's sacrifice fly put them ahead 1-0. The Yankees responded in the fifth inning as Chris Johnson hit a home run to give them the lead. The sixth inning proved pivotal for the Yankees, who scored three runs, aided by a critical error from George Brett that allowed two unearned runs to score. As the game progressed, the Yankees' lineup depth shone through, with Thurman Munson and Willie Randolph contributing significant hits, while the Royals struggled to match their offensive output. The Yankees ultimately won the game 6-2, taking a commanding lead in the ALCS.
#Yankees #Royals #ALCS #RonGuidry #GeorgeBrett #ThurmanMunson #ReggieJackson #BillyMartin #FreddiePatek #ChrisJohnson
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On April 10, 1976, the New York Yankees faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers at...
1976 New York Yankees vs Milwaukee Brewers - Classic Baseball Radio Broadcast / On April 10, 1976, the New York Yankees faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium, bringing a mix of challenges and expectations to each team. The Yankees, led by starting pitcher Ed Figueroa, were looking to make a strong showing early in the season, while the Brewers, with Bill Travers starting on the mound, aimed to capitalize on their home field advantage. This game was notable early in the season, testing the mettle of both teams, with the Yankees striving to establish dominance and the Brewers looking to upset a perennial powerhouse.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Brewers broke the ice, gradually building a lead with strategic hits and taking advantage of the Yankees' fielding errors. By the middle of the sixth inning, the Brewers had extended their lead to 6-0, underscoring a strong offensive performance. However, the Yankees rallied in the seventh inning, marking a significant turning point in the game. Key hits included a home run by Thurman Munson and multiple RBI singles that sparked a comeback. The tension heightened in the ninth inning, with the Yankees adding five more runs to seal their lead, highlighted by key contributions from Lou Piniella and Chris Chambliss.
Ultimately, the Yankees overcame their early stumbles to win 9-7 in a comeback victory that underscored their resilience and depth. The Brewers, despite a strong start, were unable to hold off the late surge from the Yankees.
Billy Martin, a tempestuous man known as baseball's street fighter, was dismissed as manager of...
Billy Martin Discusses Being Fired by the Texas Rangers / Billy Martin, a tempestuous man known as baseball's street fighter, was dismissed as manager of the Texas Rangers today. He was replaced by Frank Lucchesi, the Rangers’ third base coach and a former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Martin had said on his daily radio program early today that he expected to be ousted.
Then, some two hours before the official Ranger announcement, Martin was cleaning out his locker in Arlington Stadium. His eyes reddened from a sleepless 48 hours, he said, “I've been fired and my top assistant, Frank Lucchesi, is my replacement.”
The Rangers fire future Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog. The White Rat, who compiled...
Texas Rangers Fire Whitey Herzog - September 1973 / The Rangers fire future Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog. The White Rat, who compiled a 47-91 record during his six-month tenure in the Texas dugout,
The Texas Rangers hire Billy Martin after firing Whitey Herzog, featuring interviews by Martin, Bob...
Texas Rangers Fire Whitey Herzog and Hire Billy Martin / The Texas Rangers hire Billy Martin after firing Whitey Herzog, featuring interviews by Martin, Bob Short, & footage of Texas v. Oakland. WFAA. September 1973.