But there are two things people most remember about Munson. 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.

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. He had a lifetime. In his Rookie of the Year season in , he hit. He won Gold Gloves in , and He had career home run and RBI. He also was named Most Valuable Player in , the year he became Yankees captain, and as an All-Star in seven seasons.

He hit over. But the playoffs are where he played his best. In 16 starts in the World Series, he hit. He hit. And he came through with heroics in big moments, too. He broke a tie in the 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 World Series.

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.

But the argument for Munson is strong. A case could be made that without him, the Yankees would have gone from to without a championship. His performance in the playoffs ranks among the best of all time — not just for a catcher, but for all players. 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. 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. 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. There is so much about him that only his teammates know.

Ask Reggie. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 Their longest drought since winning first WS. Its possible. All of these had longer careers and thus more years to win. Several listed in this paragraph are in the HOF. The injustice.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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. Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data.

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