On this date in New York Yankees history, Thurman Munson earned the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Munson blew away the field, accruing 18 of the 24 first-place votes, topping Kansas City Royals third baseman George Brett.
The Bronx Bombers captain became the first in franchise history to earn the MVP after winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award (1970).
The Yankees All-Star backstop posted a .302/.432/.769 slash line with 17 home runs and finished second in the Junior Circuit with 105 RBI. Munson also ranked fourth in hits with 186.
Munson also hit during the 1976 postseason. Against Brett’s Royals, Munson posted a .957 OPS in helping the Pinstripes earn their first pennant since 1962. Although the Yankees would be swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series, one couldn’t fault Munson. During the 1976 Fall Classic, Munson posted an impressive slash line of .529/.529/1.059.
This year Munson appears on the Modern [Baseball] Era ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Do you think he’ll make it into Cooperstown in 2020?
