35 Years Later, Bucky "Bleepin" Dent's Swing Still Resonates

Monday, October 2, 1978 was a sun splashed day in Boston, Mass. Fenway Park was filled to the brim for Game #163 between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Many schools were closed due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, so there was a large crowd seated at home in front of their television sets in the living rooms and dens of America.

Back in July no one thought a one game, winner-take-all contest would take place. The Red Sox had a comfortable 14 game lead over the Yankees on the 19th of the month. Yankees manager Billy Martin was fired after he blasted outfielder Reggie Jackson and owner George Steinbrenner- "One's a born liar, the other's convicted." Bob Lemon replaced Martin and steadied the ship, and the Yankees started to play better.  The Red Sox were led by manager Don Zimmer, who found his own place in Pinstripes nearly 20 years later.

The Yankees won 11 of 15 and Boson started to stumble a bit. The 14 game lead was reduced to 6.5 when the calendar turned to August. Hope was quickly dashed, however, when  the Red Sox swept a three game series at Yankee Stadium that put the Bronx Bombers back in the soup.

A team made up of battle worn veterans, the Yankees went on another tear against the A's, Angels, Orioles, Mariners, and Tigers (13-3) to move with four games of the slumping Red Sox. The calendar read September 7th as the Yankees entered Fenway Park for a four game series.

Four days later, after the Yankees had outscored the Red Sox 42-9, the two teams were tied for first place with identical 84-56 records. A three games series in the Bronx a week later saw the Yankees take the first two, 4-0 and 3-2 to build up a 3.5 game lead. The Red Sox won the finale and left town 2.5 games behind the Yankees.

The Yankees stayed hot, but despite nine wins in 13 games, they couldn’t shake the suddenly resurgent Red Sox. Boston won seven straight and 10 of 12 as the two teams entered the final Sunday of the regular season schedule. A Yankees win or a Red Sox loss would clinch the division for the Pinstripes.

The Yankees faced left-hander Rick Waits and the Cleveland Indians while Boston sent Luis Tiant out against the Toronto Blue Jays, who were in the midst of a seven game losing streak. The Indians jumped all over Catfish Hunter in the first two innings to build a 6-0 lead and coasted to a 9-2 win. Meanwhile, "El Tiante" dominated the neighbors to the North with a 2-hit complete game shutout. There would be a Game 163 in Boston on Monday.

Monday's game matched the about-to-be-crowned AL Cy Young winner Ron Guidry against his former teammate Mike Torrez. The 1977 World Series ended when Torrez snared Lee Lacy’s pop up to give the Yankees their 21st World Championship.

Guidry's '78 performance was one for the ages. He entered Monday's game 24-3, with all three losses coming against pitchers, ironically, named Mike. The Brewers Mike Caldwell, the Orioles Mike Flanagan and the Blue Jays Mike Willis provided the only blemishes on Guidry’s record.

The lefty’s ERA stood at 1.72 and he had thrown five complete games in his previous six starts, three of them shutouts. (Guidry led the league with nine shutouts.) He also had 243 strikeouts and a WHIP under 1.000. The only disadvantage he had was pitching Game 163 on three days rest.

Torrez was 16-12, 3.92 and had thrown a complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers in his last start. He too was going on three days rest and was 1-3 against the Yankees during the regular season.

Torrez looked nervous when he walked the game’s lead off hitter Mickey Rivers on four pitches and “Mick the Quick” promptly stole second base. But after falling behind 2-1 to Thurman Munson, Torrez struck out the Yankees catcher and retired Lou Piniella and Reggie Jackson to escape the jam

Guidry, on the other hand, retired the side in order and struck out a pair of Sox, including the league's top hitter, Jim Rice. One inning later though, Carl Yastrzemski ripped a flyball to right that stayed just inside the Pesky Pole for a 1-0 Boston lead.

Torrez settled down and was barely tested by the Yankees lineup. He gave up a double to Rivers in the 3rd inning, a single to Piniella in the 4th and a leadoff walk to Roy White in the 5th. When Torrez retired the side in order in the 6th and Rice delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, it appeared that two runs might be enough to decide the contest.

Then came the 7th inning and the team’s fortunes changed. Chris Chambliss reached on a one out single, the Yankees’ first hit since the 4th inning. White followed that with a single of his own to centerfield to put the tying runs on base. Torrez retired pinch-hitter Jim Spencer  for the second out, which left things in the hands of Bucky Dent.

The Yankees shortstop had a miserable season at the plate- he entered the game with a .243 average and .596 OPS and was already 0-2 on the day- but rather than go to another pinch-hitter, Lemon stuck with him.

Dent barely laid off a low breaking pitch on the first delivery from Torrez for a ball.  Torrez followed with a fastball on the inside of the plate that hobbled Dent when he fouled it off his left in-step.  Trainer Gene Monahan tended to Dent for several minutes before number 20 stepped back in the batter's box. Just as he did, a bat boy brought him some new lumber courtesy of Rivers.

Finally ready, Dent stepped in and sent one out on Torrez’s next pitch. The fastball took flight and landed into the net atop the "Green Monster" in left field. Yastrzemski watched, hoping for a richochet off the wall, but momentarily collapsed to one knee as he saw the ball clear the wall. In a matter of seconds Dent had turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

The Yankees weren't done in the inning either. Torrez walked Rivers for the second time in the game and was pulled in favor of Bob Stanley. Rivers stole second and scored on Munson's double to centerfield. Stanley finally retired Piniella to end the inning.

Guidry had gutted his way through six innings without his best or sharpest stuff, so when Gator gave up a one out single in the 7th to George Scott, Lemon sent for the Yankees closer, Goose Gossage.

A passed ball by Munson put a runner in scoring position, but Gossage struckout Bob Bailey and retired Rick Burleson on a grounder to Dent to keep the score 4-2. It quickly beame 5-2 in the 8th when Jackson led off the inning with a solo home run to dead centerfield, but the Red Sox weren't dead yet.

Boston had blown the big divisional lead, but had rallied to force the one game playoff.  They would rally in Game 163 as well. Jerry Remy led off the 8th with a double and scored on Yaz's RBI single. Carlton Fisk and Fed Lynn followed with a singles of their own to plate Yaz and it was suddenly a one run game again.

Gossage got Butch Hobson to fly out and struck out Scott to keep it 5-4. The Yankees got a hit from Paul Blair in the 9th, but went down pretty quickly. To win the game, Gossage would have to face the heart of the Red Sox lineup.

Goose retired Dwight Evans to start the frame, but then walked Burleson. Remy was down to his final strike when he turned on a Gossage fastball in his wheelhouse and dunked one into right field. With the sun directly in his face, Piniella didn't see the ball to the last minute and stood with his arms outstretched to the side. Intentional or not, it was enough to fool Burleson into thinking he might have a shot at the catch.

Not only did Piniella have no shot of recording the putout, he barely snared the ball after it droppped in.  (He was also playing further over towards the line than he normally would be for a non-power hitter against Gossage.) Burleson hit the brakes as he turned towards third and retreated back to second base. It would prove to be a crucial mistake when Rice hit a deep fly to right that would have easily scored the tying run had Burleson continued on to third. (To this day, Rice still talks about the play costing the Red Sox the game.) So it all came down to two future MLB Hall of Fame members.

The game came down to a one on one battle between  two future MLB Hall of Fame members. Gossage came out on top when Yaz lofted a high infield pop that Graig Nettles squeezed into his glove as he straddled the left field line. The rest as they say, was history.

The Yankees beat Kansas City in four games to reach the World Series and then came back from a 2-0 deficit in games to the LA Dodgers to capture their 22 and last title until the dynasty of the last 1990's.

In 2003, the Red Sox invited Dent back to Fenway Park for the 25th anniversary of the ’78 classic. The man whose name is never uttered in Boston without an unflattering nickname, sat in the new seats atop the Green Monster, not far from where a baseball landed and made him a Yankees legend.

Sometimes You Win On High Holy Days, Sometimes You Lose

35 years ago I sat on the floor of our sun parlor, in my lucky seat in front of the couch. Two years earlier that's where I was when I was whispered, "How about a home run?" as Chris Chambliss approached the plate against Mark Littell in Game 5 of the ALCS.  In 1978 it was the Yankees and Boston Red Sox who needed a 163rd game to determine the AL East division winner. No wild card teams back then.

It was Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish New Year and the only reason that schools were closed on a sunny Monday afternoon. Rather than attend temple, our congregation met in front of a 17" color TV. The Yankees stud ace Ron Guidry was having a career year and gutted his way to his 25th win with plenty of help from the bullpen. Everyone, of course, knows that the biggest moment of the game was when the Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent earned an off-color nickname when he gave the Yankees the lead for good with a 3-run home run off former teammate Mike Torrez.  The team went on to win the World Series, their last until Joe Torre and company restored order in 1996.

Yesterday, Saturday, was Yom Kippur. The "Day of Atonement"...and boy did the Yankees have plenty of atoning to do afterwards. I sat on our leather sofa, which has witnessed one World Series title, as Jon Lester dominated the Yankees in a 5-1 Red Sox win. It left the interlocking NY's three games behind both Texas and Tampa Bay in the AL wild card standings. The Yankees stud ace CC Sabathia continued his 2013 struggles; he lasted six innings, and allowed the five runs on nine hits and four walks. He lost his career worst 13th game.

While neither of these teams are as good as their 1978 ancestors, the Red Sox have set themselves apart in the AL East, one year after they won 69 games and finished last in the division. The Los Angeles Dodgers helped them out by taking Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Adrian Gonzalez off their hands last season. GM Ben Cherington and company then picked up Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Jonny Gomes, Koji Uehara, and Mike Carp prior to the season. All of them have contributed to the Sox success as has Jake Peavy who was acquired at the trade deadline. Most importantly they got rid of self-absorbed manager Bobby Valentine and hired their former pitch coach John Farrell, who had been the manager in Toronto, and was very popular with the team.

The Yankees, of course, added to their injury list in the series as they do most every game. Brett Gardner was lost the other night after he strained his oblique. Alfonso Soriano was scratched from Saturday's game due to a sprained thumb. And so it goes...just as they did a week ago the Yankees hope they can salvage one game in a series with Boston. Better say your prayers.

The Birth of the Rhythmic Clap

34 years ago today, June 17, 1978, the two strike rhythmic clap was born. And it's all because of a masterful performance by the Yankees' Ron Guidry in an amazing season.

1978 was a crazy time in the Bronx; Billy Martin fired and re-hired for the future. The Yankees sat 14 1/2 games back of Boston in July before a miraculous comeback and a one game playoff victory that gave Bucky Dent a rude nickname in Boston and led to another World Series championship. There was one consistent that season and it was Ron Guidry. The lefty, who nearly quit the game out of frustation two years earlier (and was nearly dealt by George Steinbrenner), had the most dominant season baseball had seen in years.

It included a Saturday night in the Bronx against the California Angels when Guidry set the team record for strikeouts with 18. It was that night that the fans began to clap with excitement each time Guidry got two strikes on a batter. A tradition was born.

The strikeout victims:
1st inning: Rick Miller, Joe Rudi
2nd inning: Brian Downing
3rd inning: Ike Hampton, Bobby Grich, Rudi
4th inning: Don Baylor, Ron Jackson, Merv Rettenmund
5th inning: Hampton, Grich
6th inning: Dave Chalk, Rudi, Baylor
7th inning: Downing
8th inning: Hampton
9th inning: Chalk, Rudi

Mariano Caps Great Day In The Bronx

Is that a smile of "I know you can't hit this?"

Whether you were at Yankee Stadium, sitting at home watching TV, or listening to the ceremonies on the radio, Sunday was a wonderful day in the Bronx. Having watched the 65th annual Old Timers Day prior to the regularly scheduled game, it was only fitting that Mariano Rivera, the oldest player on the Yankees, finished out Sunday's victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Rivera, who is older than Old Timers like Homer Bush and Aaron Small, struck out the side in the 9th to preserve the Yankees 6-4 victory. The Yankees homered three times in the game, including a blast by Jorge Posada, the second oldest Yankee.

The big story of the day though was the OT ceremonies, in particular the honoring of long time head trainer Gene "Geno" Monahan, who back in May announced he would retire at season's end. The 67-yr old has been with the organization for 49 years, including time as a bat boy when he was 17. A cancer scare last year put things in perspective for the man who has been there for Mantle, Murcer, Munson, Mattingly, and Mariano. Monahan was told he would throw out the first pitch before the OT game, which he did (to Jorge Posada who donned full catcher's gear), but he had know idea what was yet to come.

When he held the press conference in May, Monahan mentioned that he dreams a lot and it was time to start living some of those dreams. He mentioned he'd like to have a retriever named Schrader that he could take in his pick up truck to the store to pick up grass seed. All three came true on Sunday. With his fiancee and two grown daughters in attendance, Monahan was showered with gifts from the Yankees organization and sponsors. Among them was a Ford F-150 truck that had a big ol' Golden Retriever named Schrader in it.

There was a trip to the Alpine region in Europe, tickets to see Garth Brooks (and an autographed Cowboy hat from the country music star) in Las Vegas, a painting of the Stadium presented by the Steinbrenner family, a riding mower (and grass seed) presented by the grounds crew, a pair of seats from the old Stadiun, a video tribute, and much much more. It was an emotional capper to an emotional ceremony.

Back for the first time in a Yankees uniform were a couple of former managers, Joe Torre, who didn't leave on such great terms, and Lou Piniella, who was also one of the most popular Yankees players in the 1970's and 1980's. Torre appeared choked up as he received a long and loud ovation from the fans. Piniella hadn't been in a Yankees uniform since 1988 and marked the occassion by taking an at-bat in the game. He visited the broadcast booth during the regular game and joked (for those of you who don't know, Piniella was Paul O'Neill before Paul O'Neill) that he would be upset all night about grounding back to the pitcher.

Bernie Williams also made his return for his first Old Timers Day although he has never officially retired. He also received a very long ovation and then gave the crowd a big thrill with a deep drive to left-center for a double. Tino Martinez also got the fans applauding when he hit a David Cone meatball into the right field seats for a home run. The BamTino said "thank you" to Cone as he rounded third base, and Coney nodded his approval.

There aren't as many of the older Old Timers left; the ones that I used to see at OT Day when I was a kid, but some were still there. Moose Skowron, who announced to Kim Jones and the TV audience that he was battling lung cancer (even though he quit a while ago, Moose smoked for 40 years). Phil Rizzuto's old DP partner and long time baseball broadcaster Jerry Coleman was in attendance along with 86-yr old Charlie Silvera, who came up to the Yankees a catcher in 1948. The Yankees first great reliever, Luis Arroyo, was there. And of course Yogi Berra, who sadly looks very frail these days and the "Chairman of the Board", Whitey Ford were in the house. They, along with Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage were the Hall of Fame members in attendance.

David Wells, who is in better shape than he was in his playing days, demanded to know why O'Neill wasn't there. But so many players from my youth were- Mel Stottelmyre, Graig Nettles, BrianDolye, and Ron Guidry. There were those who are there every year, Joe Pepitone, Hector Lopez, Rick Cerone, and those that can't possibly be Old Timers like Bush, Kevin Maas, Clay Bellinger, and Brian Boehringer. As well as the playres from the last dynasty- Straw, Doc Gooden, Graeme Lloyd, Jeff Nelson and Charlie Hayes.

The widows of some of the Yankees greats are honored each year as well. This year's group was Kay Murcer, Diane Munson, Helen Hunter, Jill Martin, and Arlene Howard. Being that Bobby Murcer was my favorite player, I love seeing Mrs. Murcer there and I feel both sadness and joy to see Thurman's widow.

The Yankees also did a great job of remembering those who passed during the last year. Many of the names were unrecognizable, which makes think they now included members of the organization that worked behind the scenes. That was new and a nice touch. The last name announced was Cora Rizzuto, who I hadn't remembered had passed away.

The one thing missing was the Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who happened to turn 37 on Sunday. We all know he's rehabbing his injury and he wants to get back as soon as possible, but it was a disappointment that he wasn't there when Geno was honored, "Mr. Torre" and Bernie Williams returned.

One thing to note that was in poor taste. Thankfully it only lasted for about four players announced. Ron Blomberg came out to "Havah Nagila", Lee Mazzilli and Rick Cerone to a tarantella and Pat Kelly to an Irish jig. My wife and I exchanged shocked glances. "Are you really going to play an ethnic song for everyone? Could you stereotype it a little more?" As I said, thankfully that didn't continue or I wasn't paying attention. I hope it was the former.

As the regular game got underway, Michael Kay told John Flaherty that Mariano wanted him to introduce him with the Old Timers. Kay said, "I can't do that, I'll lose my job". Mariano pressed Kay to do it, but the YES broadcaster would not relent and said in a couple more years Mo will be one of them. After the game, Kim Jones asked Mo to verify the story and baseball's greatest reliever was all too happy to. He said "Michael blew it", called him a "big head" and said he was angry at him. It made for a great interview and was extremely funny. Mo concluded by saying, "I love you Michael". No one is greater than Mo.

As for the game itself, Ivan Nova and the Yankees fell behind 3-0 by the end of the 5th inning. Ty Wiggington hit the first of two home runs on the day as Nova had no control of his fastball. The Yankees answered back in the bottom of the 5th though when Nick Swisher hit a 2-run home run off of Rockies starter Juan Nicasio, and Posada followed with a game tying blast.

A Wiggington blast off Nova in the top of the 6th put Colorado back ahead, but Alex Rodriguez answered with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to tie things up at 4-4. It would be broken an inning later when Eduardo Nunez singled home pinch-runner Chris Dickerson. Mark Teixeira then put some icing on the cake with a solo blast in the 8th, his 23rd of the season to gain a share of the AL lead with Toronto's Jose Bautista.

Boone Logan (2-2) and David Robertson then handed things over to Rivera, who cuttered his way through Wiggington, Charlie Blackmon, and Chris Iannetta for his 20th save of the season (579 in his career). A fitting ending to a perfect day.

The Boss and Billy the Kid With An Eye on Cooperstown

They once formed a crazy triumvirate that were splattered across the headlines of the New York Sports pages. From 1977 - 1981, Reggie Jackson, George Steinbrenner, and Billy Martin could not be mentioned without one of the other names being mentioned.

Jackson was overwhelmingly elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and now the Boss and Billy the Kid's names will come before the Veterans Committee for election to Cooperstown. Results will be announced on December 6.

In addition to the duo, former Yankees Ron Guidry, who had some of his best seasons under Martin, and Tommy John will also be on the ballot.

Vida Blue, Davey Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ted Simmons, Al Oliver, Marvin Miller, Rusty Staub, and Pat Gillick round out the ballot.

Hughes Joins Elite Company

This from Elias Sports Bureau - With his 10th victory on Saturday, Phil Hughes became the 12th Yankees starting pitcher to start a season winning at least 10 of his first 11 decisions.

Hughes joins Hall of Fame members Lefty Gomez (10-1 in both 1932 and 1934), Red Ruffing (10-1 in 1939) and Whitey Ford (10-1 in 1964), and Cy Young Award winners Bob Turley (10-1 in 1958), Ron Guidry (11-0 in 1978), and Roger Clemens (10-1 in 2001).

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

Our Top 10 Stadium Moments

We'll say from 1968 - forward since that's when we started to become cognizant of what was going on. This was not easy and some of these are interchangeable.

10. June 17, 1978 - Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels. The beginning of fans clapping when an opponent had 2 strikes.

9. ALCS Game 3 - Yankees ruin another Red Sox post-season. Aaron Boone becomes aligned with Bucky Dent.

8. September 24, 2001 - Yankee Stadium is the site of an inter-faith memorial for the tragic occurrences of 9/11.

7. July 4, 1983 - Dave Righetti throws a 4th of July no-hitter against the Red Sox. It's also George Steinbrenner's birthday. Game ends when Rags strikes out Wade Boggs for the third time.

6. August 6, 1979 - Bobby Murcer drives in 5 runs for his fallen brother Thurman Munson on the day of the Captain's funeral.

5. May 25, 1998 and July 18, 1999 - Perfect games by David Wells and David Cone.

4. 2001 Games 4 and 5 of the World Series - Unbelievable 9th inning comebacks on home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

3. 1996 World Series Game 6 - We finally had attained a World Series championship after 18 years.

2. 1977 World Series Game 6 - Reggie Jackson takes 3 swings and hits 3 home runs. The Yankees win their first World Series in 15 years.

1. 1976 ALCS Game 5 - Chris Chambliss finally gets us to the promised land with a dramatic home run.

The Plaques

The Plaques