1965

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

OF·1965-1979

AVG: .271

Dark Years

Thurman Munson

C·1969-1979

AVG: .292

Dark Years

Bobby Murcer

OF·1965-1966, 1969-1974, 1979-1983

AVG: .278

Dark Years

Horace Clarke

2B·1965-1974

AVG: .257

Dark Years

Tom Tresh

OF·1961-1969

AVG: .247

Dark Years

Joe Pepitone

1B·1962-1969

AVG: .252

Dark Years

Gene Michael

SS·1968-1974

AVG: .233

Dark Years

Jake Gibbs

C·1962-1971

AVG: .235

Dark Years

Jerry Kenney

3B·1967, 1969-1972

AVG: .238

Dark Years

Sparky Lyle

P·1972-1978

ERA: 2.39

Dark Years

Ron Blomberg

DH·1969, 1971-1976

AVG: .302

Dark Years

Felipe Alou

1B·1971-1973

AVG: .271

Dark Years

Jim Mason

SS·1974-1976

AVG: .207

Dark Years

Steve Hamilton

P·1963-1970

ERA: 2.78

Dark Years

Bill Robinson

OF·1967-1969

AVG: .205

Dark Years

Fritz Peterson

P·1966-1974

ERA: 3.09

Dark Years

Danny Cater

1B·1970-1971

AVG: .290

Dark Years

Lindy McDaniel

P·1968-1973

ERA: 2.89

Dark Years

John Ellis

1B·1969-1972

AVG: .258

Dark Years

Bobby Cox

3B·1968-1969

AVG: .227

Dark Years

SEASONS

1965–1975 Season by Season

1965

77-85

The dynasty collapses -- first losing season in 40 years, Keane overwhelmed, Mantle plays through pain, Bobby Murcer debuts

Mgr: Johnny Keane

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1973

80-82

Steinbrenner buys the team, last game at old Yankee Stadium, Murcer's All-Star season -- the hinge between darkness and dynasty

Mgr: Ralph Houk

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HISTORIC MOMENTS

Defining Moments of The Lean Years

Record / MilestoneApril 9, 1965

Mickey Mantle Hits First Home Run in Astrodome History

Mantle hit the first home run in the Houston Astrodome during a Yankees exhibition game.

Managerial ChangeJuly 1, 1965

Johnny Keane's Disastrous 1965 Season

Keane was overwhelmed managing an aging Yankees roster and was fired early in the 1966 season.

Record / MilestoneSeptember 8, 1965

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.

Stadium / FranchiseJanuary 3, 1973

George Steinbrenner Buys the Yankees

Steinbrenner's $10 million purchase from CBS began the most consequential ownership era in franchise history.

Record / MilestoneJuly 24, 1973

Bobby Murcer's 1973 All-Star Season

Murcer hit .304 with 22 home runs as the Yankees' brightest star during the transition years.

Stadium / FranchiseSeptember 30, 1973

Last Game at Original Yankee Stadium

The Yankees played their final game at the original Yankee Stadium before a two-year renovation.