Brilliant!
So here’s the first team-nickname card, the Yankees and a 1978 “Bronx Zoo” card:
The Yanks were on their way to a second straight championship, both against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 1978, led of course by pitcher Ron Guidry who was mowing everyone down as he charged towards a 25-3 season, leading the league in wins, ERA at 1.74 and shutouts with nine.
On offense, the Yankees were stacked, with guys like Reggie Jackson, Chris Chambliss, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles and Lou Piniella, giving the team a balanced line-up that produced three 90+ RBI men.
Of course, this wasn’t all without drama, as the madness of Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, managerial changes and team fighting led to some memorable stories surrounding the organization.
From the “Straw that stirs the drink” to “You went from Cy Young to sayonara”, this team was epic when it came to side-shows, and as a kid in Brooklyn just about to turn 10, I loved every second of it!
I chose the image for this card for the very fact that in the middle of the pile-up there’s some strange teenager, front and center, reminding me of how wild it was back then when you could run out to the field and celebrate along with the players. Granted, not like the players liked it or anything.
But I do remember the sheer madness of the celebrations as the Yanks brought it home in ‘77 and ‘78!
