World Series - 1953 : Brooklyn Dodgers v New York Yankees

1988-Oct-02 Brooklyn NY

35th Anniversary - 1953 World Series

1998-Oct-05 Brooklyn NY

45th Anniversary - 1953 World Series

The 50th edition of the World Series, it matched the four-time defending champions New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a rematch of the 1952 Series, and the fourth such matchup between the two teams in the past seven seasons

Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 2

MVP - Billy Martin (NYY)

 

Billy Martin - In Memoriam

Billy Martin (May 16, 1928 - December 25, 1989)

Funeral services held December 29, 1989

Billy Maartins was known as a scrappy infielder who made considerable contributions to the championship New York Yankees of the 1950s. 

Career:

• New York Yankees (1950-1953, 1955-1957)
• Kansas City Athletics (1957)
• Detroit Tigers (1958)
• Cleveland Indians (1959)
• Cincinnati Reds (1960)
• Milwaukee Braves (1961)
• Minnesota Twins (1961)

As a manager he brought 5 teams to a first place finish, winning the World Series once with the Yankees.

During his multiple tenure with the Yankees, Martin was fired by team owner George Steinbrenner or resigned usually as part of a publicized scandal

• Minnesota Twins (1969)
• Detroit Tigers (1971-1973)
• Texas Rangers (1973-1975)
• New York Yankees ( 1975-1978, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1988)
• Oakland Athletics (1980-1982)

Baseball Card Show : Atlantic City, NJ

Dec 10, 1983 Superstar Convention, Atlantic City, NJ

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Billy Martin, Whitey Ford (need image)  - New York Yankees

Jan 14, 1989 Atlantic City, NJ

Mickey Mantle, Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams, Frank Robinson

Jan 5, 1990 Atlantic city, NJ

Willie Mays - New York Giants

Mickey Mantle - New York Yankees

Duke Snider - Brooklyn Dodgers

Billy Martin Returns - New York Yankees

April 12, 1983 Yankee Stadium

Billy's Back

The feelings between Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and Yankee Manager Billy Martin are well documented and utilized for great Yankee public relations drama...

Between 1973 and 1990 Steinbrenner hired 19 managers...

Billy Martin had played second base for the Yankees from 1950-1957, finishing his career with the Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Red, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins (1957-1961)...

Martin would take charge of the Yankees in 1975, after experiences managing the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers... in 1978 Matin would be replaced by Bob Lemon after an incident with Reggie Jackson during a game at Fenway Park. Martin learned that Steinbrenner was looking into a deal that would trade Martin for Lemon who was managing the White Sox. Martin issued a statement regarding Jackson and Steinbrenner stating  They deserve each other. One's a born liar (Jackson) and the others convicted (Steinbrenner for illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon)...

Martin resigned the following day before he could be fired. Lemon was fired by the White Sox one month prior and hired immediately by Steinbrenner...

At the 1979 Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium an announcement was made that Martin would return in 1980 to replace Lemon as the Yankee manager. However due to a poor start in 1979, Lemon would be fired by Steinbrenner and Martin brought in early than anticipated. Following the 1979 season an altercation with a fan landed Martin in trouble and Steinbrenner fired him, bringing in Dick Howser for the 1980 season.

Martin would return to the Yankees 3-times more in 1983, 1985 and 1988 never lasting the complete season...

In 1983 the Yankees promoted Martin's return with "Billy's Back" campaign showing Martin pointing to his #1 jersey.

 1983 Yankee souvenir program

1985 Sports Illustrated

George Brett - Pine Tar Game

"The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from the end, may be covered or treated with any material (including pine tar) to improve the grip. any such material, including pine tar, which extends past the 18-inch limitation in the umpire's judgement, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game. No such material shall improve the reaction or distance factor of the bat."

Rule 1.10(b) Official Rules of Baseball, 1983

Jul 24, 1983 the Kansas City Royals trailed the New York Yankees 4-3 with 2-outs in the top of the ninth at Yankee Stadium. George Brett stepped to the plate and hit a 2-run home run off of pitcher Goose Gossage to give the Royals the lead.

Before Brett could cross home plate, Yankee manager Billy Martin came charging out of the dugout ordering the umpire to check Brett's bat. The umpire did so and determined that the pine tar extended beyond the 18-inch rule and nullified the home run and ejected Brett from the game for using an illegal bat. Brett's reaction has become a baseball legend...

The Royals filed a protest and the American League president Lee McPhial upheld their protest and ordered the game to be resumed on Aug 18. Kansas City would hold their re-instituted led and defeat the Yankees 5-4...