1976–1981
The Bronx Zoo
George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, and Reggie Jackson -- chaos and championships. Two World Series titles, three home runs on three pitches, and the most turbulent clubhouse in baseball history.
Mr. October
Reggie Jackson→KEY PLAYERS
The Stars of The Bronx Zoo
Reggie Jackson
Bronx Zoo
Ron Guidry
Bronx Zoo
Thurman Munson
Bronx Zoo
Rich Gossage
ERA: 2.12
Bronx Zoo
Bob Lemon
G: 172
Bronx Zoo
Catfish Hunter
ERA: 3.58
Bronx Zoo
Gaylord Perry
ERA: 4.44
Bronx Zoo
Graig Nettles
AVG: .253
Bronx Zoo
Lou Piniella
AVG: .295
Bronx Zoo
Chris Chambliss
AVG: .282
Bronx Zoo
Bucky Dent
AVG: .239
Bronx Zoo
Oscar Gamble
AVG: .258
Bronx Zoo
Fred Stanley
AVG: .222
Bronx Zoo
Mickey Rivers
AVG: .299
Bronx Zoo
Sparky Lyle
ERA: 2.39
Bronx Zoo
Jim Spencer
AVG: .247
Bronx Zoo
Dick Tidrow
ERA: 3.61
Bronx Zoo
Bobby Brown
AVG: .255
Bronx Zoo
Bob Watson
AVG: .282
Bronx Zoo
Rudy May
ERA: 3.09
Bronx Zoo
SEASONS
1976–1981 Season by Season
Yankee Stadium reopens, Munson wins MVP, Chambliss hits the ALCS walk-off -- but the Big Red Machine sweeps the World Series
1st in AL East · Mgr: Billy Martin
Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!
1st in AL East · Mgr: Billy Martin
The Greatest Comeback in Baseball History
1st in AL East · Mgr: Billy Martin / Dick Howser / Bob Lemon
Thurman Munson's death, Billy Martin's return, clubhouse fights -- a back-to-back champion fractures from within
4th in AL East · Mgr: Bob Lemon / Billy Martin
Lost ALCS to Kansas City Royals, 0-3
1st in AL East · Mgr: Dick Howser
Strike-split season saved by first-half title; Righetti wins ROY but Dodgers rally from 0-2 to win the World Series
1st in AL East (first half) · Mgr: Gene Michael / Bob Lemon
HISTORIC MOMENTS
Defining Moments of The Bronx Zoo
Yankee Stadium Reopens After Renovation
Yankee Stadium reopened on April 15, 1976, after a $160 million renovation.
Thurman Munson Named Captain and Wins 1976 AL MVP
Munson became the first Yankees captain since Lou Gehrig and won the AL MVP award.
Chris Chambliss's 1976 ALCS Walk-Off Home Run
Chambliss hit a walk-off homer in Game 5 to send the Yankees to their first World Series in 12 years.
1976 World Series: Reds Sweep the Yankees
October 16, 1976. Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati. The New York Yankees are in the World Series for the first time in twelve years.
Reggie Jackson Signs with the Yankees
On November 29, 1976, Reggie Jackson signed a five-year, $2.96 million contract with the Yankees -- the biggest prize of baseball's first true...
1977 World Series: Yankees Beat the Dodgers
The 1977 New York Yankees shouldn't have existed as a coherent baseball team. Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin nearly came to blows on national...
Reggie Jackson's Three Home Run Game
Reggie Jackson hits three home runs on three consecutive pitches in Game 6 of the World Series, earning the nickname "Mr. October."
The Boston Massacre: Yankees Sweep Four at Fenway
Four games. Forty-two runs. One of the most devastating sweeps in baseball history -- and the turning point that sent the Yankees to their second...
Bucky Dent's Home Run in the 1978 AL East Tiebreaker
On October 2, 1978, with the Yankees trailing 2-0 and the AL East title hanging in the balance, light-hitting shortstop Bucky Dent lifted a fly ball...
1978 World Series: Yankees Rally from 0-2
Down 0-2 to the Dodgers, buried under months of Bronx Zoo chaos, the 1978 New York Yankees won four straight to claim their 22nd World Series title --...
Ron Guidry's 25-3 Cy Young Season
In a season defined by chaos, a 27-year-old left-hander from Louisiana quietly put together one of the greatest pitching performances in baseball...
Yankees' First Cable Television Broadcast
The Yankees began broadcasting games on cable television, launching the regional sports network model.
Billy Martin Replaces Bob Lemon as Manager
Steinbrenner fired Bob Lemon and rehired Billy Martin for the second time.
Thurman Munson Dies in Plane Crash
Yankees captain Thurman Munson dies in a plane crash at age 32. His number 15 is retired and his locker remains empty.
The 1980 Yankees' 25-8 September Stretch Run
On August 31, 1980, the New York Yankees trailed the Baltimore Orioles by a game and a half in the American League East. The division title was...
Reggie Jackson's 41-Homer Season in 1980
Reggie Jackson turned 34 during the 1980 season and responded to the milestone by hitting .300 with 41 home runs, 111 RBI, and a 172 OPS+. It was the...
1980 ALCS: Royals Sweep the Yankees
The 1980 American League Championship Series lasted three games, and the Kansas City Royals won all of them. After losing to the Yankees in the ALCS in...
Dick Howser Out After 103-Win Season
On November 21, 1980, Dick Howser submitted his resignation as manager of the New York Yankees. The official story was that Howser wanted to pursue...
Dave Winfield Signs Record Contract
The Yankees sign Dave Winfield to a 10-year contract worth an estimated $23 million, the richest deal in baseball history at the time.
The 1981 Players' Strike and Split Season
The 50-day players' strike created a split-season format that saved the Yankees' postseason.
1981 World Series: Dodgers Rally from 0-2
The Dodgers overcame a 2-0 series deficit to beat the Yankees in six games.
Dave Righetti's 1981 Rookie of the Year Season
Righetti won AL Rookie of the Year with an 8-4 record and 2.05 ERA in the strike-shortened season.
CHAMPIONSHIPS