For New York Yankees fans who remember the 1970s – or any baseball fan, really – catcher Thurman Munson has a special place.
Thurman Munson Remembered
You can look at the stats and the awards (we will, below). But there are two things people most remember about Munson.
- His phenomenal play in the postseason. He helped the Yankees win three American League pennants and two World Series between 1976 and 1978. It was part of a resurgence for the Yankees under new owner George Steinbrenner, who bought the team in 1973
- His tragic death, at age 32, while practice landing his Cessna Citation plane at the Akron-Canton Airport on Aug. 2, 1979
Johnny Bench MLB Career and Early Life
Fans who are old enough remember Munson as one of the greatest catchers the game ever produced. Although he played at a time when Johnny Bench also played and was sometimes overshadowed, he still left an indelible impression.
Why isn’t he in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown? That’s more complicated.
Munson’s Accomplishments
When Steinbrenner bought the Yankees, they hadn’t been to the World Series since 1964. That’s a long drought for a team used to winning championships. Munson played a key role in the team’s revival.
The other players respected him so much that he was named captain of the team, the first person named to that position since the great Lou Gehrig. Munson, who was from Ohio, was a scrappy player who played every game as if the season was on the line. It won his teammates’ respect.
Lou Gehrig MLB Career and Early Life
Munson’s stats are impressive. He had a lifetime .292 batting average. In his Rookie of the Year season in 1970, he hit .302. He won Gold Gloves in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He had 113 career home run and 701 RBI.
He also was named Most Valuable Player in 1976, the year he became Yankees captain, and as an All-Star in seven seasons. He hit over .300 in three consecutive seasons, 1975-1977.
But the playoffs are where he played his best. In 16 starts in the World Series, he hit .373. He hit .357 in the playoffs for his career.
And he came through with heroics in big moments, too. He broke a 1-1 tie in the 1978 American League Championship series with the Kansas City Royals by hitting a homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning. He threw out four of six baserunners against the fleet-footed Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 World Series.
Why Isn’t Thurman Munson in the Hall of Fame?
With his amazing statistics, many wonder why Munson has not been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Ranker currently has Thurman Munson listed as 15th on the list of “the best baseball players not in the Hall of Fame.” The list contains those who are no longer active players and have had the chance to be listed on the Hall of Fame ballot at least once.
And that’s just one of many such lists.
Many theories abound. The Sporting News speculated that since he fell so far short of getting into Cooperstown the first time he was on the ballot – just two years after his death – in subsequent years fewer baseball writers have voted for him.
They also speculate the shortness of his career – 11 seasons – hurt him.
But the argument for Munson is strong. A case could be made that without him, the Yankees would have gone from 1964 to 1996 without a championship. His performance in the playoffs ranks among the best of all time – not just for a catcher, but for all players.
As it stands, Thurman Munson is among one of the most puzzling oversights of the Hall of Fame.
Good article. Notably, Munson reportedly acknowledged to Don Bauer (who sold Munson the Cessna Citation in which he died) that he would need to play for a few more years in order to make the Hall of Fame. Bauer recounted that conversation in a sworn deposition in connection with Mrs. Munson’s wrongful death lawsuit.
This is what is wrong with baseball.Writers not former players vote for the hall. How about we let any sports player vote for the writers hall of fame .Wouldn’t work ,RIGHT.That’s the point. A WRITER NEVER PLAYED,PLAYED HURT.AND A PLAYER IS NOT A WRITER.
Munson’s absence from the Hall of Fame diminishes the Hall, not Munson. Without him, it’s just the Hall of Hype.
Tremendous statistics, a team leader ,great playoff and world series stats, a great career cut short after 11 seasons… can’t believe this man is not in the Hall of Fame!
I’ve always been against sports writers judging the performance of an athlete of any given sports when they have never played one themselves . It’s like a fan watching the game on TV and gets pissed off because the batter didn’t bat a pitch the fan saw hitterable on tv . Come on man !!!!
Thurman Munson should be in HOF should have been inducted immediately year of his death!!!! Roberto clemente and Lou gehrig were. It has been too long and he was a great player.
You are absolutely right my friend, my thoughts exactly. I watched him play, with him being caption . Two WS rings in a tough era. Batted almost .300 for his career . To many qualities that don’t show on the back of a baseball card. . There is so much about him that only his teammates know. Ask Reggie.
It is a disgrace that Harold Baines is in the Hall of Fame and not Thurman Munson.
Exactly
His stats are good but not great. Sorry
Compared to what? Are Ted Simmons stats great? He simply never had a chance to compile.
Buster Posey will be going in the hall,Posey knocked in 100 rbis ONE time, Munson did it 3 years in a row and batted 300 as well. Only 3 catchers have done that Piazza, Munson and Dickey. AND he did it 4 times.Munson played in a era of a ball that wasn’t JUICED as Posey ,so if Posey is going in the hall Munson should be there as well.Their numbers are simular,and Munson was a better defensive catcher than Posey
I truly believe that if he continued to live, that after he retired, he would have become a Manager, and he would have been one of the top Managers in baseball. Then, he would have at least made it into the Hall Of Fame, as a Manager.
Thurm is a Hall of Famer. The resume is there. AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP Winner. Seven time all star and three time Gold Glove Winner. He also lead the Yankees to three pennants and two world championships. Also when he got to the post season, he did not just get there – he lit it up !!! He accomplished more in 11 years than Fisk did in 24 years.
Best clutch hitter in the history of the game. Needs to be in The Hall no question!
I concur……seen his play numerous times….guts, soul & heart for the game, plus a fantastic catcher….think he started throwing to 1st base behind the runner…what an arm !
My childhood hero and a great ball player. He should be in the HOF due to his stats, awards and team leadership during some really rocky years.
Thurman was arguably the best catcher in the American League for the entire decade of the 1970s I can’t believe because he died it’s counted against him. Thurman epitomized what it meant to be as a true leader. Maybe someday the baseball writers will get their head out of their ass and see the big picture. Playing the toughest position in baseball for 11 years should hold some credence over other positions. For anyone to say if he played longer things would different is ignorant. Considering he died,how dare the sports writers judge what if instead of what did.
I was fortunate to have played at Kent State with Thurman, and was a pitcher on that freshman team. The talent of this man overflowed and he was a born leader. His work ethics were beyond anyone I had known and I loved pitching to him as his skills made me look better. He was destined for greatness, and it is a shame that he is not in the Hall of Fame. I considered him a friend, and always will. When he passed on I actually felt a loss inside as if he was my brother because I was so impressed with his talents and felt close to him as a teammate. He went to the majors and I went by choice to Vietnam, but I followed his career closely. My hope is that baseball will come to their senses and vote him into the Hall of Fame, because he deserves it, for his talent, statistics, leadership and overall love of the game. His untimely death should not be the cause for not being allowed to enter this prestigious group of athletes. God knows he deserves it.
Why are the writers that vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame so stingy so much of the time?
Munson’s case should be an obvious one through mid 79 season: Along with above postings he had: big post season stats and moments – HR in ’78 ALCS, first Yankee captain since Gehrig, lead by example among diverse and big personalities Chambliss, Randolph, Dent, Nettles, Pinella, Rivers, Reggie, Guidry, Catfish, Gossage, S. Lyle (three of these became managers), and front office of George with rotating managers.
One comment I have never heard is the fact that the Yankees fell apart after 1979. Back to back WS wins n ’77, ’78 and then not another until ’96. Their longest drought since winning first WS.
Also, if he lives, does Thurman use influence to keep Reggie after ’81 and eventually Winfield despite slights in words and pay? Its possible.
All Star Contemporaries WS titles Bench (2), Fisk (0), Porter (1), Simmons (0)?, Sundberg (1), Bob Boone (1)?, Rick Dempsey (1)?,Gene Tenace (2)? All of these had longer careers and thus more years to win.
Also consider length of standing ovation in Yankee Stadium at first game after funeral.
Still not convinced, listen to Cosell call of Murcer’s walk off in above game in first week of August 1979.
If that doesn’t get BBWAA vote for Thurm, hope you’re happy in hell with Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Kennesaw Mountain Landis (first commissioner who upheld unwritten segregation in MLB for 25 years – what changed? – Landis finally died), Phillies’ manager in 1947 (see movie “42”), those really guilty in Black Sox scandal, German hierarchy (for two world wars plus), three 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers who threatened to boycott own team due to Jackie Robinson’s arrival (Dodgers’ manager gave them ultimatum), teams slowest to integrate (Red Sox were last), Nicaraguan dictator (who took earthquake aid money causing Roberto Clemente to make fatal flight with supplies to country), Fidel Castro, Charlie Finley (have to be old time KC’er to fully dislike along with some A’s fans and most players), some owners including a few Red Sox – guy who sold Babe Ruth, Tom Yawkey and players like John Rocker, etc. Several listed in this paragraph are in the HOF. The injustice.
Wanted to clarify a few points.
First, many sporting hall of fames have a stated character requirement for entry. Munson excels here too.
He was a great player who in addition died because he went WAY out of his way to see, support and love his family by 1. learning how to pilot a plane 2. spending a lot of money on newer planes 3. dragging a very probably tired and injured body away, when resting in NYC on an off day might have been tempting, to be with his family for a relatively short amount of time.
Yankee culture was infamous for partying and living recklessly which has been well documented and part of that was a regretted neglect of family most expressed by Mickey Mantle who would have crossed paths with Munson. Munson’s family commitment may have been a little to very countercultural at the time. Also, it was the 1970’s and many families had spouses with different life experiences due to women not having real opportunities at work so many households had this major difference in work-life experience which I am sure was a challenge for many marriages. Again, Munson seems to have been exceptional in his efforts to be supportive given the culture at the time. Also, I have yet to hear a better MLB example of family commitment given the surrounding culture.
To miss Munson’s ability, leadership, accomplishments along with his character seems almost inexplicable but not on par with those actions listed in the last paragraph.
Admittedly this was written late and with emotion. The error in that paragraphs case was not differentiating the negative forces or qualifying some of them which in some cases I thought was apparent but other not.
Also, it may have seemed to take away from the Munson for HOF argument but that many of these men are in the HOF and have low character traits made another point for a Munson HOF induction.
To categorize the above list….
1. There is no comparing the worst force of human nature in recent history (WW I and WWII Germany) with anything other than a few other horrible dictatorships. My point poorly expressed was that this awful regime even effected a homegrown sport in a country far away initially committed to isolation.
1b. Castro is accused of many bad things and to be honest I know there were also huge injustices in the Cuba he overturned but my knowledge of details is not even general at best. Cuba’s struggles and challenges are far beyond the cancelling of professional baseball and restricting national team players which are very significant and emblematic of Cuba’s plight. When players are risking their lives to escape in the last decade or two, serious issues exist. All of this affected MLB but the emphasis should be on the plight of the Cuban people and their dignity.
2. Within the game there are varying degrees of negative influence which for more formidable purposes should be qualified.
My reading said Cap Anson is the one person most responsible for segregation in baseball when a few men of color played baseball professionally In the late 1800’s. He is said to have very actively and forcefully insisted on a awful unwritten rule that kept most people of color out of the game for over six decades. This is different than a still very bad “see no evil” position on the same as not just the Red Sox but others late to integrate teams like the Yankees who to New Yorkers credit pressured Yankee brass in calling up Elston Howard not much before the Red Sox finally integrated. Was Cap Anson just an example of the times? No, he did way more damage than anyone else concerning being good to people of color and should be considered for being kicked out of the HOF or, if not immediately possible, designated as skilled players who were a-holes. “See or Don’t See the New Black Eye Section of the HOF or Those Who Are Up for Being Kicked Out” should be Cooperstown’s next project announcement.
Cobb played the game with as much skill as anyone and was very racist and aggressive individually (like the rogue Dodgers who threatened to boycott Jackie Robinson, the ’47 Phillies skipper and John Rocker) which is another very bad black eye on the game.
Landis’ effect was institutional and although he was hired to help after the 1919 World Series scandal, his lack of vision hurt the game deeply. In my general knowledge of baseball history, I have never heard of an account of the culpability of Ban Johnson who created the American League which merged with MLB/NL in 1901 making baseball the leading US sport for at least a half century and who also may have initiated the World Series. Did Ban Johnson have an opportunity and power to integrate in the first decade of the 20th century? If so, another missed critical opportunity. I’ll be reading about this soon.
Tom Yawkey did and didn’t do things the hurt the game as mentioned above. To those who were effected by his mistakes (all of us essentially), the last to integrate cannot be defended or explained away. Cleveland brought up Larry Doby a few months after Jackie Robinson in 1947. Cleveland added Satchel Paige in 1948 and won their first World Series that year since 1920 two years after the Red Sox last victory. The benefits of integrating were right in front of all owners.. For an overall treatment of Yawkey, see SABR’s web site and bio of him. He treated and paid players well and had many men of color in his later years just to qualify along with going to every game and being supportive of the team in some ways which does not cancel any faults. Also, unlike the Red Sox owners he bought the team from, he improved the team by spending although limited in its scope which set the stage for eventually for players of color like Jim Rice and even Mike Torres who they recruited away from the Yankees and in the Yawkey habit paid them too. But as SABR states, he had a ton of inherited money beyond other owners and mostly drank, hunted and fished with his employees and didn’t usually check their work progress. .
Charlie Finlay was a hustler, a bully and he lied concerning ownership intentions in KC but I do not know that he was anything worse than that. He let and maybe encouraged long hair and facial hair which is a nod to individuality and expression and contrasted to the Yankees strict policies. He was very heavy handed with players and when free agency began in 1976 the A’s dynasty fled away from Findlay at record pace.
Is passing over Munson for the HOF, which obviously many have done, equal to the above negative actions. No, but juxtaposing those listed above that are in the HOF with Munson’s leadership, ability, heart and character in the face of many challenges, another vote against Munson in the HOF is even more inexcusable. Was Munson a saint? He was tough and surly at times, but how do you keep him out of the HOF? For his wife, kids, grandkids, extended family, friends, teammates, etc.,, those of you few special committee members that will have a vote on Munson’s status, do the right thing and vote him in.
The best catcher of his time, along with Bench.No doubt he should be a HALL OF FAMER. In true Yankee fans eyes HE IS A HALL OF FAMER.
Total disgrace and lack of class by the sports writers who vote! He was brash and never did well with the media…his teammates still voted him captain…love that stash #15
The new Veteran’s Committee has a chance to right this. It is possible that 2 Yankee captains get inducted in 2020.
Munson’s absence from the Hall does nothing to diminish Munson as a player or a person. It does diminish the Hall.
Ted Simmons effectively got Championship Sandwiched. (When an athlete’s team won it all the year before he arrived and the year after but not during his time there). .This rarely happens literally but Simmons can qualify “effectively” in that the Cards won the year before he came up and two years after he was traded – to the team (Brewers) the Cards beat in that very 1982 World Series. This would never had happened to Thurman Munson.
One of the most well know effective Championship Sandwiches is the unfortunate plight of Don Mattingly. Called up after 1981 WS appearance season (and four years after back to back WS victories) then retired one year before Yanks won first Series in 18 years never having a WS appearance himself after a great career.
I have not come close to researching this, and most likely won’t, but the only pure Championship Sandwich I know of is Mike Woodson with the U. of Indiana Hoosiers. He was there all four years but got sandwiched between NCAA Championships in 1976 and 1981.
THE THERM WHAT A GUTSIE PLAYER SEEM LIKE HE ALLWAYS CAME THROUGH
MISS YOU GUY IT WAS A GREAT LOSS
I can’t think of my life as a Yankees fan without Thurmon Munson; I watched Derek Jeters ad a billion times this weekend. The Yankees don’t have captains who aren’t deserving. For God’s Sake, we are the New York Freaking Yankees. Put him in the Hall of Fame.
Thurman was one of the greatest catchers in his era what a sad thing hes not in the hall of fame
I beg to differ with a comment that made earlier. The original author who wrote the biography of Cobb went out of his way to tell lie after after lie about this great player. Yes, Cobb was fiercely competitive to say the least and aggressive and overbearing and yes, worked the media up at times to make them and the fans hate him. But Cobb even admitted that the bad rap drew a lot of attention,l in the same way good press would do the same. He was no idiot. He knew this and loved to get the worked up. His ego thrived on it. And one final note. Cobb was not, and never was a racist as has been written and noted so often. In fact Cobb went the extra mile more than any other player I could name, to initiate the integration of of the game of baseball
Munson was my idol as a kid, he inspired me to be a catcher. I wore #15 from little league to A ball and semi pro till I was 36. I loved catching, I loved all the foul tips that caught me in exposed places, the broken toes n fingers, the bruises, especially the collisions at home plate. Because that’s what he did every day better than anyone else at the highest level. My hero, my role model. The day he died is burned into my memory, I had just finished catching a pony league game.
Sportswriters vote like most sports – what a joke! Should be owners/managers/players. Guys that play the game. Not a bunch of wannabes. I have never paid much attention to what they think or say – they never played the game (at a high level). Just look at MVP 1998 – enough said
After Mantle he became my hero… wore #15 all through little league and high school … that’s all I can say
Munson absolutely belongs in Cooperstown! I was lucky enough to have met him when I was in High School, and recognizing me as the son of a Yankees employee, he teased me in front of my girlfriend, saying to her “What are you doing with HIM, you could do a lot better!” It meant a lot to me that he apparently liked me enough to bust on me!
I miss him every day!
R.I.P. Captain!
Captain dominated baseball and showed how catchers were important in a line-up and especially in the World Series playing against the best of the best.. he shined above All catchers. He was great defensively too. If 11 years is not enough..
What a shame, Thurman was a great ball player. The stats and awards speak for themselves. I live in Akron, Ohio, about 10 miles from Akron Canton airport. I found out about the crash when I got home from work. It just made me sick about the crash. So sad. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame not because he died tragically, but for what he did on the field over his career. These sport’s writers that vote are a joke. Something is wrong here.
Munson was a great player who should have been in the Hof along time ago!!!!!
The Munson Hall of Fame Committee will try again next year when his “era” is comes up for vote. http://www.munsonhof.com
Munson was a great player but he was a user of amphetamines when he played.
Back again,
They [media] are saying Posey is a sure hall of famer now that he’s retired. I hope he makes it because Thurm should be there as well. Posey played during the juiced ball era,most pitchers eras between 4 and 5. Posey did have a 320 lifetime batting average, batting tittle which is great for a catcher,however he knocked in 100 rbis ONE time,now don’t get me wrong it’s still a great career for a catcher .Thurman played during the DEAD BALL era ,most pitchers eras were 2-3.5,some low 2’s.Munson lifetime batting average 292 ,knocked in100 rbis 3 times and in a row. Not taking anything away from Posey but really who’s the better hitter a guy who plays in the JUICED BALL era with one year of 100 rbis or the guy that played during theDEAD BALL era.The pitchers of the 60’s-70’s were better as well too.Once again I hope Posey gets in because IF HE DOES MUNSON SHOULD BE THERE AS WELL.Now I have a question to ask all WHY ISN’T BILLY MARTIN IN THE HALL OF FAME,During the 70’s he was if not the best one of the best managers,OH YEAH the baseball sportswriters vote,Again they shouldn’t .Give that honor to the players,coaches,and managers from the era of players up for the hall and then maybe people wouldn’t be having these comments.
Munson’s tragedy occurred 44 years ago today,Aug.2,1979,and YES, he definitely should be a Hall Of Famer,as Bill James rates him the 12th-best catcher in MLB history.Munson,who could hit,hit with a modicum of power,and was a GREAT game caller and leader,was overshadowed by the cover boy handsome,more powerful Carlton Fisk (Munson was blue-collar and rough-edged) ,but Thurman’s the Lou Whitaker of catchers. (Whitaker,the 13th-rated second baseman in history by James’ standards,also hasn’t received his long-overdue Cooperstown call,but at least the 66-year-old “Sweet Lou” may still be alive to receive his plaque and make his speech.)
Absurd omission. Multiple gold gloves, an MVP with 2 rings. Died at 32. Catchers do not deliver that much after this age (except Carlton Fisk & Bob Boone). Munson was a team captain and the consumate team player. Do not believe anything Munson would have done after age 32 would have improved his resume. Counting stats? perhaps. Between 1970-1980 Bench and Munson were the best catchers in MLB. Munson was a complete hitter who could do everything. An elite situational hitter. Reminder: Harold Baines is a HOF player.