1982 New York Yankees season
Encyclopedia
The New York Yankees
' 1982 season
was the 80th season for the Yankees. The team finished in fifth place in the American League
Eastern Division with a record of 79-83, finishing 16 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers
. It was the first time the Yankees finished with a losing record since , the team's final season at the original Yankee Stadium before the renovations. New York was managed by Gene Michael and Bob Lemon
and Clyde King
. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
' 1982 season
1982 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...
was the 80th season for the Yankees. The team finished in fifth place in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Eastern Division with a record of 79-83, finishing 16 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. It was the first time the Yankees finished with a losing record since , the team's final season at the original Yankee Stadium before the renovations. New York was managed by Gene Michael and Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
and Clyde King
Clyde King
Clyde Edward King was an American pitcher, coach, manager, general manager and front office executive in Major League Baseball. King, whose career in baseball spanned over 60 years, was perhaps best known for his longtime role as a special baseball advisor to George Steinbrenner, late owner of the...
. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium.
Offseason
- October 13, 1981: Eric SoderholmEric SoderholmEric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...
was released by the New York Yankees. - October 21, 1981: Willie McGeeWillie McGeeWillie Dean McGee is a retired professional baseball player who won two batting titles and was named Major League Baseball's National League MVP. McGee primarily played center and right field, winning three Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence. McGee spent the majority of his 18-year career...
was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Bob SykesBob Sykes (baseball)Robert Joseph Sykes is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during five seasons at the major league level for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted by the Tigers in the 19th round of the amateur draft...
. - November 4, 1981: Brian Ryder (minors) and a player to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Ken Griffey, Sr.Ken Griffey, Sr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He currently serves as Manager for the Bakersfield Blaze, the Reds' Single A minor league affiliate. He is the father of former professional outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. and former minor leaguer Craig Griffey. He and his...
. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Freddie ToliverFreddie ToliverFred Lee Toliver , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from –. He would play for the Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
to the Reds on December 9. - November 17, 1981: Aurelio RodríguezAurelio RodríguezAurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. , was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels , Washington Senators , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles...
was traded by the New York Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. The Toronto Blue Jays sent Mike Lebo (minors) (December 9, 1981) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade. - February 22, 1982: Barry EvansBarry Evans (baseball)Barry Steven Evans is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played all or part of five seasons in the major leagues from until .-Sources:...
was purchased by the Yankees from the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. - March 30, 1982: Andy McGaffiganAndy McGaffiganAndrew Joseph McGaffigan , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1981-1991.-Teams:* New York Yankees 1981* San Francisco Giants 1982-1983, 1990...
and Ted WilbornTed WilbornThaddeaus Inglehart Wilborn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the amateur draft...
were traded by the Yankees to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Doyle AlexanderDoyle AlexanderDoyle Lafayette Alexander is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers...
.
Regular season
- April 27, 1982, Reggie JacksonReggie JacksonReginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
returned to Yankee Stadium with the Angels. He broke out of a terrible season-starting slump to hit a home run off former teammate Ron GuidryRon GuidryRonald Ames Guidry , nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
. The at-bat began with Yankee fans, angry at Steinbrenner for letting Jackson get away, starting the "Reg-GIE!" chant, and ended it with the fans chanting "Steinbrenner sucks!" By the time of Jackson's election to the Hall of Fame, Steinbrenner had begun to say that letting him go was the biggest mistake he has made as Yankee owner. - September 5, 1982: Roy Smalley hit home runs from both sides of plate for New York Yankees.
- Future NFL Hall of Famer John ElwayJohn ElwayJohn Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
played baseball for the New York Yankees' Oneonta single-A farm club in 1982. Elway posted a .318 average and knocked in a team-high 24 runs with no errors in 42 games.
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1982: Bill CaudillBill CaudillWilliam Holland Caudill is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras' first client.-Early years:Caudill was drafted by the St...
was acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
to complete an earlier deal (the Cubs sent players to be named later to the Yankees for Pat TablerPat TablerPatrick Sean "Pat" Tabler is a former Major League Baseball player and currently a color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays on the Canadian sports television network Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with Rod Black on TSN....
) made on August 19, 1981.
- April 1, 1982: Bill Caudill, Gene NelsonGene Nelson (baseball)Wayland Eugene Nelson , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1981 to 1993. After beginning his career as a starting pitcher with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, Nelson gradually converted to a relief role starting in 1983...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Shane RawleyShane RawleyShane William Rawley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from 1978 through 1989, for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.Rawley was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1986 as...
. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Bobby BrownBobby Brown (outfielder)Rogers Lee "Bobby" Brown , is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from -. Brown played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres In 502 games, Brown accumulated 313 hits, 26 home runs, 130 RBI, and a .245 batting...
to the Mariners on April 6. - April 5, 1982: Brad GuldenBrad GuldenBradley "Brad" Lee Gulden is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. He debuted with the Dodgers on September 22, 1978 against the San Diego Padres after being...
was traded by the Yankees to the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for Bobby RamosBobby RamosRoberto "Bobby" Ramos is currently the bullpen coach for the Tampa Bay Rays. During his playing career, he was a catcher, playing parts of six seasons for the Montreal Expos and New York Yankees. He was a minor league manager in the Rays' system from to .-External links:*...
. - April 23, 1982: Bob Watson was traded by the Yankees to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Scott Patterson (minors). - May 5, 1982: Dave ReveringDave ReveringDavid Alvin Revering , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman from 1978-1982. Revering graduated from Bella Vista High School...
, Tom DoddTom DoddThomas Marion Dodd is a former Major League Baseball player. He is likely best remembered for being one of the players included in the deal that brought Fred McGriff to the Toronto Blue Jays as a minor league prospect.-Yankee farmhand:...
, and Jeff Reynolds (minors) was traded by the Yankees to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for John MayberryJohn MayberryJohn Claiborn Mayberry is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees from 1968 to 1982.-High school and minor leagues:...
. - August 8, 1982: Bucky DentBucky DentRussell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978...
was traded by the Yankees to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Lee MazzilliLee MazzilliLee Louis Mazzilli, , is a former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager. On December 11, 2006, he was hired as the lead studio analyst for SportsNet New York, the New York Mets' cable television network...
. - August 31, 1982: Tommy JohnTommy JohnThomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
was traded by the Yankees to the California Angels for a player to be named later. The Angels completed the deal by sending Dennis RasmussenDennis RasmussenDennis Lee Rasmussen is a former starting pitcher for Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals...
to the Yankees on November 24.
Draft picks
- June 7, 1982: 1982 Major League Baseball Draft1982 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
- Bo JacksonBo JacksonVincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round, but did not sign. - Dan PasquaDan PasquaDaniel Anthony Pasqua , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1985-1994. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1982 amateur draft. Pasqua attended William Paterson University in New Jersey...
was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round. - B. J. Surhoff was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round, but did not sign.
- Jim DeshaiesJim DeshaiesJames Joseph "Jim" Deshaies , also known as "JD", is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball and currently a TV commentator with the Houston Astros.- Major-league career :...
was drafted by the Yankees in the 21st round. - Mike YorkMike York (baseball)Michael David York is a former major league baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. York was drafted in by the New York Yankees, then bounced around the minor leagues for several years before reaching the majors with the Pirates in...
was drafted by the Yankees in the 40th round.
- Bo Jackson
Roster
| 1982 New York Yankees | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 89 | 300 | 29 | 68 | .227 | 5 | 28 | 0 | |
| 1B | 69 | 215 | 20 | 45 | .209 | 8 | 27 | 0 | |
| 2B | 144 | 553 | 85 | 155 | .280 | 3 | 36 | 16 | |
| 3B | 122 | 405 | 47 | 94 | .232 | 18 | 55 | 1 | |
| SS | 142 | 486 | 55 | 125 | .257 | 20 | 67 | 0 | |
| LF | 140 | 539 | 84 | 151 | .280 | 37 | 106 | 5 | |
| CF | 123 | 477 | 76 | 143 | .300 | 9 | 68 | 11 | |
| RF | 127 | 484 | 70 | 134 | .277 | 12 | 54 | 10 | |
| DH | 108 | 316 | 49 | 86 | .272 | 18 | 57 | 6 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 348 | 41 | 88 | .253 | 3 | 25 | 13 | |
| 102 | 261 | 33 | 80 | .307 | 6 | 37 | 0 | |
| 63 | 191 | 27 | 56 | .293 | 3 | 20 | 0 | |
| 59 | 160 | 11 | 27 | .169 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 65 | 141 | 12 | 32 | .227 | 7 | 30 | 2 | |
| 37 | 128 | 20 | 34 | .266 | 6 | 17 | 2 | |
| 44 | 118 | 16 | 26 | .220 | 2 | 9 | 0 | |
| 33 | 107 | 8 | 20 | .187 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| 30 | 58 | 2 | 10 | .172 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 17 | 48 | 4 | 7 | .146 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 14 | 40 | 2 | 6 | .150 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 17 | 31 | 2 | 8 | .258 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 14 | 27 | 2 | 4 | .148 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | 26 | 5 | 5 | .192 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 7 | 17 | 3 | 4 | .235 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 11 | 16 | 3 | 3 | .188 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 7 | 12 | 0 | 2 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 11 | 1 | 1 | .091 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 3 | 9 | 2 | 3 | .333 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 222 | 14 | 8 | 3.81 | 162 | |
| 30 | 186.2 | 10 | 10 | 3.66 | 54 | |
| 16 | 70.2 | 4 | 5 | 4.46 | 37 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 164 | 11 | 10 | 4.06 | 111 | |
| 16 | 66.2 | 1 | 7 | 6.08 | 26 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3.47 | 69 | |
| 56 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 2.23 | 102 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54.00 | 0 |
Awards and honors
- Ron GuidryRon GuidryRonald Ames Guidry , nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, Goose GossageGoose GossageRichard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
and Dave WinfieldDave WinfieldDavid Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...
represented the Yankees at the 1982 Major League Baseball All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. - Gold GlovesRawlings Gold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
were awarded to pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, Guidry and outfielderOutfielderOutfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, Winfield. - Dave Winfield, Silver Slugger Award.