1978 New York Yankees (100-63)

Managers: Billy Martin, Dick Howser, and Bob Lemon

After winning their first world title since 1962 the previous year, the Yankees hoped to win another World Title. The "Bronx Zoo" would become wilder as tensions between Manager Billy Martin and outfielder Reggie Jackson would enrage. In addition to that, 1977 Cy Young winner Sparky Lyle lost his job as closer to free agent signee Goose Gossage. In the beginning of the season, the Yankees are dominated by injuries and watched their rival Red Sox pull away in the AL Eastern Division. On a summer night in June against the Angels, young pitcher Ron Guidry struck out 18. One month later, Billy Martin ordered Reggie Jackson to bunt in a game against the Royals. However, Reggie refused to bunt. But when Martin took off the bunt sign, Reggie swung. On July 19, the Yankees fell down to 4th, 14 games behind Boston, Milwaukee, and Baltimore. Martin was fired, and Dick Howser took over on an interim basis. Originally, Martin was supposed to be traded to the White Sox for his counterpart Bob Lemon. Lemon went to the Yankees, but it was Larry Doby who took over for Chicago. With Bob Lemon's laid back approach, the Yanks played .600 ball for the remainder of the season. In a 4-game series in Boston on Labor Day Weekend, the Yankees outscored the Red Sox 42-9 in what was called the "Boston Massacre." The Red Sox, Brewers, and Orioles all slumped in the end of the season. On the 162nd game of the season, the Yanks were beaten by a bummy Cleveland Indians team. But Boston's Luis Tiant led the way past Toronto to force a division tiebreaker game in Boston. On October 2, 1978, the two rivals faced off in Fenway Park. At first, Carl Yastrzemski hit a homer toward Pesky's Pole. The turning point was in the bottom of the 6th when Lou Piniella caught a ball that was near Pesky's Pole. In the top of the next frame, shortstop Bucky Dent hit a homer over the Green Monster to give New York a 3-2 lead. Later in the frame, Thurman Munson scored Mickey Rivers in to give them a 4-2 lead. However, after a Reggie Jackson homerun, the Sox came back to trail the Yanks 5-4. With Goose Gossage on the mound, he delivered a pop up ball to Yaz to give the Yanks their 3rd straight AL East title. Ron Guidry's 25-3 record and 1.74 ERA gave him the Cy Young award.

For the third straight year, the Yankees met the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. Jim Beattie, who struggled throughout the season, came through in the series opener. After losing game 2 in Kansas City, the series was tied at 1 game apiece heading to the Bronx. In the Bronx, Catfish Hunter was victimized by a 3-run shot by George Brett. However, a 2-run homer and 3 RBI's by Reggie Jackson gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead. Game 4 was won by Thurman Munson's 2-run shot. This homer sent the Yanks to their 3rd straight World Series.

For the 10th time, the Yankees met the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 75th Fall Classic. The Dodgers, who lost to these Yankees in 1977, won the first two contests in Dodger Stadium. In the 3rd game, Ron Guidry's pitching was bad at first. But the Yanks answered back with 3rd baseman Graig Nettles' defensive prowess. The Yankees won that game 5-1. The Yanks were down 3-0 in the 4th game. The Yankees rallied back to force extra innings. In the 10th, Lou Piniella hit the game-winner, bringing in Roy White to tie up the series at two. The Yankees won the next two games to win their 22nd World Championship. The Series MVP was Bucky Dent. As for his double-play partner, Brian Doyle, he did a good job taking over the injured Willie Randolph with 7 hits in 16 at-bats.