Opening Day Rememberances - 1976

Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 1976 was one of the most anticipated games of all time. The Yankees had just spent 2 years in the Siberia known as Shea Stadium as The Stadium was remodeled. Bobby Murcer's short porch swing had been ruined by the much deeper Shea right field. Elliot Maddox had ruined his knee in the poor drainage of the Shea outfield. It was just all wrong.

52,613 fans turned out as did many luminaries. Joe D, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Yogi Berra were among those in attendance. Fiery Billy Martin was the manager that day as the Yankees took on the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins sent righty Dave Goltz to the hill against southpaw Rudy May. Twins outfielder Disco Dan Ford hit the first home running in the new stadium in the first off of May. Rudy didn't last too long, allowing 4 runs, 2 of them in earned in 2 plus innings. But reliever Dick Tidrow was outstanding, blanking Minnesota for 5 innings. Tidrow was one of the most underrated components of the Yankees 3 straight pennant winners.

Trailing 4-1 in the 4th, the Yankees took over the game. Oscar Gamble tripled home Graig Nettles, and came home on a Willie Randolph single that sent Goltz to the showers. Randolph stole 2nd and came home on pinch-hitter Lou Piniella's single. Sweet Lou would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch and then would be delivered home on a Otto Velez single.

The Yankees batted around in the 8th, scoring 6 runs, to put the game out of reach 11-4. Tidrow picked up the win with Sparky Lyle earning a save.




Chris Chambliss' October HR sent the Yankees to the first WS since 1964




Opening Day Lineup

CF Rivers
LF White
C Munson
1B Chambliss
3B Nettles
RF Gamble
2B Randolph
DH Coggins
SS Mason