
1965–1975
The Lean Years
The dynasty crumbles. Aging stars, CBS ownership, and a fading Yankee Stadium. But a catcher named Thurman Munson arrives to rebuild from the ashes.
The Captain
Thurman Munson→KEY PLAYERS
The Stars of The Lean Years
Roy White
AVG: .271
Dark Years
Thurman Munson
AVG: .292
Dark Years
Bobby Murcer
AVG: .278
Dark Years
Horace Clarke
AVG: .257
Dark Years
Tom Tresh
AVG: .247
Dark Years
Joe Pepitone
AVG: .252
Dark Years
Gene Michael
AVG: .233
Dark Years
Jake Gibbs
AVG: .235
Dark Years
Jerry Kenney
AVG: .238
Dark Years
Sparky Lyle
ERA: 2.39
Dark Years
Ron Blomberg
AVG: .302
Dark Years
Felipe Alou
AVG: .271
Dark Years
Jim Mason
AVG: .207
Dark Years
Steve Hamilton
ERA: 2.78
Dark Years
Bill Robinson
AVG: .205
Dark Years
Fritz Peterson
ERA: 3.09
Dark Years
Danny Cater
AVG: .290
Dark Years
Lindy McDaniel
ERA: 2.89
Dark Years
John Ellis
AVG: .258
Dark Years
Bobby Cox
AVG: .227
Dark Years
SEASONS
1965–1975 Season by Season
The dynasty collapses -- first losing season in 40 years, Keane overwhelmed, Mantle plays through pain, Bobby Murcer debuts
Mgr: Johnny Keane
Steinbrenner buys the team, last game at old Yankee Stadium, Murcer's All-Star season -- the hinge between darkness and dynasty
Mgr: Ralph Houk
HISTORIC MOMENTS
Defining Moments of The Lean Years
Mickey Mantle Hits First Home Run in Astrodome History
Mantle hit the first home run in the Houston Astrodome during a Yankees exhibition game.
Johnny Keane's Disastrous 1965 Season
Keane was overwhelmed managing an aging Yankees roster and was fired early in the 1966 season.
Bobby Murcer's Major League Debut
Murcer debuted as a 19-year-old shortstop, beginning a career that would make him the Yankees' best player of the 1970s.
George Steinbrenner Buys the Yankees
Steinbrenner's $10 million purchase from CBS began the most consequential ownership era in franchise history.
Bobby Murcer's 1973 All-Star Season
Murcer hit .304 with 22 home runs as the Yankees' brightest star during the transition years.
Last Game at Original Yankee Stadium
The Yankees played their final game at the original Yankee Stadium before a two-year renovation.
